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Ensuring free and fair local government elections in 2016 will be the first test of the independence and impartiality of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) under the Chairmanship of Vuma Mashinini.

Yesterday’s unprecedented ruling by the Constitutional Court against the IEC has highlighted major shortcomings in the institution meant to ensure free and fair elections.

I will therefore be requesting an urgent meeting with Mashinini where he must set out his turnaround strategy for the Chapter 9 institution prior to the commencement of voter registration next year.

Specifically, I will request that within 30 days he provides all political parties with a detailed timeline of steps he will be taking to ensure free and fair elections next year and that this plan is submitted to Parliament no later than 31 January 2016 for tabling by the Speaker on the first sitting day next year.

This follows my meeting with Mashinini last week where a number of our concerns over the impartiality of the IEC were raised. The fast approaching local government elections underscores the urgency with which these matters must be addressed.

Mashinini’s appointment was challenged by the DA given his close affiliation with President Zuma. How he approaches yesterday’s ruling, and the actions he takes to secure free and fair elections next year, will put his impartiality to the test.

The decision of the Constitutional Court to set aside the by-elections held in Tlokwe in 2013 on the basis that they were not “free and fair” is indicative of the waning independence of the IEC and their potential to sanction illegal elections, unquestioningly, until courts overturn them.

The ANC’s actions in Tlokwe shows how an election can be stolen by registering bussed-in voters ahead of an election and having them vote outside of their residential area, with the collaboration of the IEC.

We cannot allow the ANC to succeed in their project of systematically undermining Chapter 9 institutions, as they have done with the Public Protector. An independent IEC is vital to our democratic future and in the best interest of all South Africans.

I urge all South Africans to vote for change next year and rescue our country from the corruption and mismanagement of the ANC by electing a DA government that will put the needs of citizens first.

Issued by DA