The IEC says independent candidates and new political parties have until next week to comply to contest elections. Image: SABCE News
Parties and individual candidates must comply by next week – IEC
The IEC says independent candidates or political parties need to comply and be eligible to contest 2024’s general elections by next week.
The IEC says independent candidates and new political parties have until next week to comply to contest elections. Image: SABCE News
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says if independent candidates or political parties miss next week’s deadline to comply with what is needed to be eligible to contest 2024’s general elections, there will be little or no room to negotiate.
“Unfortunately, if any parties or independent candidates miss the deadline outlined in the election timetable, there isn’t much the IEC can do,” IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said.
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS BY MARCH
This comes after media reports on Wednesday that some new political formations are unhappy with the high signature threshold and the cost to contest 2024’s national and provincial elections, which could amount to more than R700,000 if all ballots are examined.
All independent candidates and registered political parties who intend to contest the election must submit nomination requirements to the IEC by 5pm on 8 March.
POLITICAL PARTIES READY TO COMPLY WITH IEC DEADLINE
According to Business Day, some of the registered political parties expected to contest the poll, which includes Build One SA (Bosa), Rise Mzanzi, Umkhonto we Sizwe party, and independent candidate Zackie Achmat, they said they were ready to comply with next week’s deadline.
“We are ready for next week. The issue we think is worth contesting is the old way of doing things versus a new way,” Bosa leader Mmusi Maimane said to Business Day.
IEC RELEASES 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS TIMETABLE
The election timetable, published on the IEC’s website on Tuesday, outlines deadlines for the 29 May general elections which were recently announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The timetable contains crucial performance dates for election contestants as well as overseas voters to help access the voting process through special arrangements, including dates for applications for special votes and notifications to vote outside of voting stations of registration.
