Faizel Patel, 2016-06-22
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has condemned the rising levels of violence linked to local government election campaigning saying there will be severe penalties for parties acting outside of its code of conduct.
The IEC held an electoral code of conduct signing ceremony in Sandton today where political parties pledged their support for free, fair and peaceful elections.
The commission says 26.3 million people have registered to vote, making it the highest number in a South African election.
It says Incidents of what appear to be politically motivated murders, assaults and other forms of intimidation of candidates have been reported across a number of provinces.
Commission chair Glen Mashinini says all political leaders and candidates should speak out strongly against any conduct which undermines the conditions conducive to free and fair elections.
“Violence, intimidation, destruction of property and intolerance has no place in a country with a Constitution based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy.”
Mashini says the elections are for the voters.
“This is the opportunity for you to go an express your own choice so that we can say the outcomes represents the will of the people.”
At the same time the IEC’s CEO Mosotho Moepya says the current voter base is big enough for all parties.
“There are enough voters for all the political parties, so it cannot be that you must create “no go” areas. 6.2 million people in a 1.5% land mass is enough to share among political parties.”
The 2016 municipal elections are expected to take place on the 3rd of August.
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