IEC: We relied on strength of legal advice to reopen candidate lists
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has dismissed suggestions that the reopening of candidate nomination lists is meant to benefit the ANC.
The IEC confirmed on Monday that it will open reopen the candidate nomination list after the voter's registration weekend which has now been set for 18 to 19 September.
The ANC had failed to submit its full list of candidates in all its key municipalities.
The governing party had approached the Electoral Court to appeal, but withdrew its application stating it would wait for the apex court ruling.
Some opposition parties are against this move including Forum for Service Delivery and the DA.
"The issue of Forum for service delivery they wrote a letter saying in their view we cannot open the nomination process, we responded to say that we disagree on the strength of the legal advice before us," said IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo on Monday.
He said the reopening of the nomination process is for all parties and candidates.
Mamabolo said when the ANC approached the IEC requesting the reopening of the process.
The request was declined.
"The opening of the nomination process is consequential to the voters to a voters registration weekend that we are conducting on the 18 and the 19," added Mamabolo.
The IEC is relying on the Municipal Electoral Act which stipulates that the candidate nomination list but open once the voter's registration process is complete and the election date is proclaimed.
