NEWSFLASH
ANC drops application to re-open registration of candidates for local government elections
Less than 24 hours after filing papers to ask the electoral court to re-open the registration of candidates for the local government elections, the ANC has changed its mind and is withdrawing its application.
Read: Frantic scramble: ANC throws everything at application to reopen candidate registrations
ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte confirmed that the ANC was withdrawing the application and “will await the outcome of the ConCourt”. This is in reference to the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) application to the Constitutional Court to postpone the 27 October local government elections until February.
Daily Maverick understands from a source close to the case that some in the ANC felt that the application was ill-advised and that it exposed the trouble within the party’s ranks even further. The source said the ANC would “just have to take the knock” if the Constitutional Court decides that the polls should go ahead as originally proclaimed.
It is not clear when the Constitutional Court will deliver its judgement, but the IEC’s lawyers indicated that they prefer for judgement to be delivered by the end of August to enable them to meet an already tight schedule if needed.
The ANC filed its application to the electoral court on Monday night.
The party blamed the mayhem caused by Covid-19 restrictions, a freezing computer system, bad internet connections and low staff morale due to the non-payment of salaries as reasons why the party failed to register candidates in 94 municipalities by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) deadline of 9pm last Monday, 23 August. DM
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Do they know something we lesser mortals don’t know? With salaries not paid which attorneys are going to act? Maybe saving face on the financial front? Think the worst when it is ANC.
Maybe the ANC will attempt to rush through an addendum to the Constitution to exempt during times of pandemics, anarchy etc…
Clowns with no ringmaster and they ruin a country – not run the country.
1st, you need an attorney who wants to ruin his reputation, but even then, 2ndly he wants to get paid. Money pays bills not political sentiment…..
The IEC’s “independence ” is already suspect. Let’s hope the Con Court stays pure. There this absolutely NO reason to postpone the Municipal elections. If we can queue in supermarkets and vaccination lines we can queue to vote.
Agreed.
Agreed.
Agreed.
By Feb there could be another variant, the show must go on! Let’s hope the concourt makes a sober ruling.
This is not a Greek Tragedy! It is not any kind of Tragedy. The ANC is a Monty Python/Spike Milligan radio serial! What the ANC has done to South Africa IS A TRAGEDY!
Agreed.
Exactly, Ediodaat. What do they know that we don’t know?
They obviously think they have a better plan.
ANC doesn’t plan anything but a disaster. See UPL in Durban!
Their only plan is to rule SA and feed at the trough for as long as it lasts, and then some more until there is nothing left of the country. Then blame aparthate and WMC.
The concourt will find for delay in election on basis of public health. It is hard to argue that the risk (however small) is worth taking.
And when will the risk be lower? Pray tell …