By-election to proceed at Mtubatuba today despite ANC objection
IFP accused of rigging the voters' roll
THE ANC in KZN claims to have uncovered ‘electoral malpractice’ ahead of by-elections scheduled for today (Wednesday) in Ward 4 in the IFP-controlled Mtubatuba Local Municipality.
However, the party failed yesterday afternoon to stop the by-election from proceeding after applying for an interdict, the Durban High Court ruling that the application had been made too late.
‘As the ANC, we disappointed that the court ruled against our application while there is clear evidence of electoral malpractice, which has been confirmed by the Independent Electoral Commission,’ said ANC Provincial Task Team coordinator Sihle Zikalala.
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‘It is not only malpractice but a fraudulent act to tamper with the voters’ roll and registering voters in a ward where they do not legally reside.
‘After carefully analysing the voters’ roll, the ANC noted a list of over 200 people from the nearby ward – others with addresses that could not be verified.
‘It was also strange to pick up many people who once registered in Hlabisa now reappearing in Ward 4.
‘As the ANC, we believe that the people of Ward 4 must be allowed to exercise their rights and vote for the candidate of their choice in a free and fair election.’
In a statement released this (Wednesday) morning, Zikalala said this was ‘not the end of the road’ as the ANC was determined to root-out election manipulation and vote rigging.
‘Though the by-election will continue, we have resolved to launch an objection in order to ensure that the illegal interference with the voting process does not become a permanent feature of our democracy,’ said Zikalala.
‘Leadership of the ANC will be deployed in all the voting stations of Ward 4 to monitor election process.’
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