Free and fair elections cannot be compromised

THE Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) made the correct decision by having a voter registration drive preceding the candidate registration process – adhering to the Constitutional Court judgment and in line with our constitutional rights to free and fair elections.

The IEC works to an election timetable, so one process follows another. An election analyst’s analogy was that of a train that starts moving. As the first coach moves then it pulls the second, in turn the third and so on.

The election timetable is the framework that voters refer and adhere to during the course of any upcoming election. The fact that a new election timetable is initiated means that the process has to be adhered to in its entirety.

A first-time voter has every right to contest the local government elections as a candidate. This also applies to any person who has changed residence, details of which must be captured on the voters roll.

Only registered voters can contest the election as a candidate. To deny any person this right will be unconstitutional and discriminatory.

Any application to nullify the IEC’s decision to reopen the registration process for ward councillors must be opposed in the strongest terms possible as this will be discriminatory and serves to exclude several South African citizens from participating in the upcoming elections as ward candidates.

As South Africans we cannot allow personal or political influences to affect democratic processes that are the pillars of society.