Rustenburg - The municipal ward by-election in Tlokwe in North West would continue as planned despite a court action by independent candidates, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said on Tuesday.
“The Electoral Commission will continue with preparations of the by-elections including special votes today [Tuesday] until directed otherwise by the Electoral Court,” said spokesperson Kate Bapela.
“The Electoral Commission [IEC] confirms receipt of the court papers from the independent candidates in the Tlokwe by-election. We studied the court papers with a view to opposing this court application,” she said.
The matter was expected to be heard in Johannesburg later on Tuesday.
“The application appear to be centred on the interpretation of the court order which when taken to logical conclusion will result in the disenfranchisement of a substantial number of otherwise eligible voters.”
Independent candidates approached the Electoral Court asking the court to help interpret a Constitutional Court ruling setting aside previous by-elections.
The Constitutional Court in November last year set aside the results of by-elections held in 2013 and ordered a re-run.
The Constitutional Court set aside the by-election held on September 12, 2013, in ward 18 and by-elections held on December 10, 2013, in wards 1,4, 11, 12, 13, and 20.
The by-elections, scheduled to be held on Wednesday, is as a result of the Constitutional Court ruling.
Independent candidates complained that about 1 000 names appearing on the voters role still do not have accompanying addresses.
African News Agency
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