Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission is finalising candidate lists following the conclusion of the objection and appeal process, in which only a single objection was upheld by the IEC.
“The IEC is not aware of any appeals which have been lodged with the Electoral Court.
“The way is therefore now clear for the finalisation of the candidate lists and issue of certificates to all candidates, in terms of Section 31 of the Electoral Act,” said the Commission on Tuesday.
Certificates will be issued to candidates by Thursday, 24 April.
The IEC originally received 45 objections in respect of lists submitted by the following parties:
- African Christian Democratic Party
- African National Congress
- Agang SA
- Congress of the People
- Democratic Alliance
- Economic Freedom Fighters
- United Democratic Party
- National Freedom Party
- Ximoko Party
Of these objections, the IEC upheld only one against a candidate who was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine. This disqualification ends five years after the sentence has been completed, which will be after the 2014 national and provincial elections.
“The candidate has thus been disqualified,” the IEC confirmed.
There were also matters raised as objections, which the Commission ruled were administrative, and referred them for administrative resolution.
South Africans will head to the polls on 7 May for the fifth democratic elections. – SAnews.gov.za
