Cape Town - Convicted criminals who may have sneaked on to party lists for the May 7 polls may be disqualified if voters spot their names and object.
Members of the public concerned about dodgy candidates have until April 1 to submit objections to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The lists appear on the IEC’s website, www.elections.org.za.
The Western Cape’s electoral officer, Courtney Sampson, emphasised that any objections must be based on facts.
“It can’t be baseless allegations or hearsay aimed at tarnishing the image of candidate.”
Among the objections that may be made are that a candidate:
* Is an unrehabilitated insolvent.
* Has been declared by a court to be of unsound mind.
* Has been convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine in this country or another, if the offence is also deemed to be a crime in South Africa.
The IEC is to rule on objections by April 7. Appeals must be submitted to the Electoral Court by April 10. The final lists will be published on April 22.
Cape Argus