The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo has been left scrambling after reportedly missing the deadline to submit its candidate list, with the party blaming alleged technical problems with the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) online system.
However, the IEC has rejected the claims, saying the electoral body’s system was functioning and that no other political party reported similar problems during the candidate-submission period.
Limpopo IEC spokesperson Nkaro Mateta dismissed allegations that technical difficulties prevented the ANC from successfully submitting its candidate list.
“It is not true that our system had a problem because, apart from the ANC, we didn’t get any complaints from the other parties,” said Mateta.
According to Mateta, political parties were given sufficient time to complete the candidate nomination process, with the submission window opening on 4 August and remaining available until the deadline.
“We gave all the parties enough time to submit their candidate list from August 4 until recently, and if any party had a problem they should have come forward with their queries, not wait until after the deadline,” she said.
The development is potentially embarrassing for the governing party, which is now facing questions over how it could have failed to complete one of the most important administrative requirements ahead of the elections.
The ANC’s explanation that technical problems with the IEC system contributed to the missed deadline has put the party and the electoral commission at loggerheads.
The IEC, however, appears unwilling to accept responsibility for the ANC’s failure, maintaining that political parties had an adequate opportunity to submit their lists and raise any technical difficulties while the nomination process was still open.
More than 2 300 candidates removed
Mateta also revealed that the candidate-list process resulted in more than 2 300 candidates being removed because they failed to comply with the requirements.
She said the removals were not limited to one specific issue, with candidates failing to meet different requirements.
“Some candidates failed to pay the registration fee, while others failed to provide the valid documents to support their candidacy,” Mateta explained.
The large number of candidates removed highlights the strict compliance requirements imposed on political parties and prospective candidates during the electoral process.
Candidates are required to meet the IEC’s prescribed requirements before they can be accepted onto the final candidate lists. Failure to provide the required documentation or meet financial and administrative obligations can result in their exclusion.
The latest development could therefore have significant consequences for the ANC’s electoral preparations in Limpopo, particularly if the party is unable to have its preferred candidates included on the final list.
IEC stands firm
The IEC’s position is that responsibility rests with political parties to ensure that their candidate lists are submitted correctly and within the prescribed period.
Mateta said parties that experienced difficulties should have contacted the commission immediately rather than raising concerns after the deadline had passed.
The dispute comes at a critical stage of the electoral preparations, with political parties seeking to finalise their candidates and campaign structures.
For the ANC in Limpopo, the missed deadline could prove costly if it results in some of its candidates being excluded from the ballot.
The party will now have to find a way to address the setback while the IEC maintains that the electoral process was conducted fairly and that sufficient time was provided for all participating parties.
What was intended to be a routine administrative process has consequently developed into a political headache for the ANC — and an opportunity for opposition parties to question the governing party’s preparedness.
With the IEC refusing to accept blame for the missed deadline, the focus is now firmly on the ANC to explain how it allowed such a crucial electoral deadline to pass.