Pretoria - The Office of the Chief Justice on Friday said eight names have been submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly for the post of an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) commissioner.
The position became vacant when IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula resigned in September.
The eight names were submitted after a panel chaired by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng interviewed 14 candidates shortlisted for the vacancy.
The panel comprised the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality and the Deputy Public Protector.
The Office of the Chief Justice said the process was established in terms of Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996.
It said the interviews lasted for about 13 hours, from 9am to just after 10pm.
“After a careful consideration of the candidates’ background and performance in the interviews, the panel agreed unanimously that the 8 names be submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly, as required by the Electoral Commission Act,” the Office said.
The eight candidates are Ambassador Sheila Margaret Camerer, Hlaleleni Kathleen Dlepu, Rebecca Madipoane Queendy Gungubele, Advocate Salome Ngwanamathiba Khutsoane, Janet Love, Vuma Glenton Mashinini, Lumko Caesario Mtimde, and Maruping Michael Wildebees.
“Upon receipt of this list, a committee comprising representatives of all parties represented in the National Assembly will consider the names and identify the candidate who is to be appointed by the President,” said Office of the Chief Justice.
“It would then be open to the President, in the exercise of his discretion, to appoint that person and proceed to appoint any of the five Commissioners as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC),” it added. - SAnews.gov.za
