Urgent call for Electoral Commission to enhance security post candidate list leak. Image: SA News
Electoral Commission urged to improve security after candidate list leak
After the recent candidate list leak, the Electoral Commission is urged to reinforce internal controls and ethical conduct among its staff.
Urgent call for Electoral Commission to enhance security post candidate list leak. Image: SA News
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane, has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to bolster its internal controls and instil a strong sense of ethical conduct among its staff members to safeguard the institution’s integrity.
This call to action stems from the recent unauthorised circulation or disclosure of candidate lists pertaining to two political parties, the ANC and MK Party.
The Commission promptly initiated an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the unauthorised disclosure and identify the source.
Electoral Commission reports breach, terminates employee
In response to the breach, the Commission reported the incident to the Information Regulator in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, as the disclosed documents contained personal information of data subjects.
Furthermore, after a preliminary investigation, the Electoral Commission confirmed on 12 March that it terminated the employment contract of the implicated employee.
Despite having legitimate access to the system and reports, the individual lacked authorisation to disseminate or circulate the information. Notably, the employee in question had an affiliation with one of the local offices of the Commission.
Moreover, the ongoing investigation will probe the motive behind the unauthorised circulation.
Chabane praises IEC’s swift investigation
Chabane commended the swift action taken by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in investigating the breach of confidentiality regarding the candidate lists.
Additionally, he emphasised the imperative of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. He underscored that the prompt investigation and subsequent decision to terminate the employee’s contract highlight the institution’s commitment to upholding integrity.
“We maintain that the IEC is a reputable institution capable of administering a free and fair electoral process, and any threat to this process will be promptly investigated with corresponding actions,” remarked Chabane.
Nevertheless, the Electoral Commission reaffirms its commitment and preparedness to conduct credible 2024 national and provincial elections. This determination remains steadfast despite the recent security breach.
