Kimberley - The Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo) on Thursday refused to sign the electoral code of conduct as it predicts that the local government elections will not be free and fair.
Azapo is one of 19 registered parties contesting the elections on August 3 in the Northern Cape.
Azapo provincial chairman, Ngungunyana Nodoba, stated that other opposition parties would also decline to sign the code of conduct if they knew the nature of the complaint they (Azapo) had lodged with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
“We were shocked that, when the abhorrent things were happening, there was no transparency and it undermines the values and integrity of the IEC.”
Provincial Electoral Officer in the North West, Dr Tuwmelontle Thiba, indicated that they “appreciated the complaint” and promised to attend two it.
According to a complaint lodged with the IEC on June 20, the ANC failed to meet the June 2, 5pm cut-off time for registrations for the local government elections.
Azapo’s provincial secretary, Motlatsi Mangakana, stated that “Azapo is naturally concerned with this serious violation of the Electoral Act and wishes to request that this and related matters be investigated”.
He added that 12 days after they had approached the IEC, they had not received a reply or acknowledgement of the letter.
“Consistent with the rules that govern the conduct of all parties nvolved in an election and given the period that has lapsed since we wrote to you. We will be exploring further action on this matter.”
Mangakana pointed out that if the ANC had indeed meet the deadline, the IEC should provide them with proof of the time and date that the candidate nomination list was submitted.
The Provincial Electoral officer, Bonolo Modise, on June 27 replied that the ANC had submitted its list of candidates online.
“There was no need for the party to be at our offices on the day nomination of candidates closed.”
Mangakana added that the Azapo’s national deputy president, Strike Thokoane, would be conducting door-to-door visits in Galeshewe and Greenpoint tomorrow and would meet the community in Pampierstad on Sunday.
ANC provincial spokesperson, Naledi Gaosekwe, denied the claim, insisting that the party had submitted their candidate nominations on time.
Pan African Congress of Azania (PAC) provincial leader Lucky Maarman added that they would only participate in the elections provided it was free and fair.
EFF provincial organiser George Nyakama reminded that the “ballot was more powerful than the bullet” while the ANC Women’s League’s provincial secretary was met with raucous laughter from the opposition when she announced the ANC would bag 70 percent of the votes.
Leader of the Khoisan Revolution, Stanley Petersen, stated that they would reclaim their land, especially since the first lady of the Province was found guilty of hate speech against the Khoisan nation.
“We will show her, we want our land back.”
DA provincial leader Andrew Louw urged parties to be mature enough to accept the outcome of the elections, without resorting to violence.
“There can be no electoral fraud, no political intimidation and no abuse of state resources to fund a political campaign. There has to be a politically mature environment in which parties are allowed to campaign peacefully.”
Both Norman Prince from the Kgatolepele Community Forum and Olebogang Michael Mabilo, from the Save Tstantsabane Coalition, lamented the lack of development and economic declines, despite being situated in mining towns.
IEC commissioner, Glen Mashinini, regretted the signs of violence that had erupted ahead of the local government elections, as well as the “undesirable loss of lives”.
He stated that that this was “against what the country stood for” and appealed for calm.
Mashinini committed to “leaving no stone unturned” in ensuring that the elections will be free and fair.
“The IEC has put measures in place for all IEC personnel to sign a pledge of conduct and will take appropriate steps if our country is put at risk.”
Parties contesting the 2016 local government elections in the Northern Cape are:
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP); African Independent Congress; African National Congress (ANC); Azanian Peoples Organisation (Azapo); Civic Independent; Congress of the People; Democratic Alliance (DA); Die Forum; Economic Freedom Fighters; Gamagara Community Forum; Hantam Ontwikkelings Forum; Kgatelopele Community Forum; Khai-Mai Onafhanklike Koalisie; Khoisan Revolution; Pan African Congress of Azania (PAC); Patriotic Alliance; Save Tsantsabane Coalition; United Christian DemocraticParty; Vryheidsfront plus (VV+)
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