Independent candidate Anele Mda joins calls for election re-run

Mda cited what she called “glaring irregularities” in the electoral process that she believes had a material bearing on the integrity of the poll results.

This is despite several organisations declaring the elections as free and fair.

Mda’s assertion comes as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party launched an urgent bid in the Constitutional Court to interdict the first sitting of the National Assembly as its latest objection to what it calls the Electoral Commission’s premature declaration of the election results.

READ MORE: MK files ConCourt papers to halt first National Assembly sitting

Political parties are in a race against time to negotiate and agree on a coalition deal that will see the formation of a seventh administration.

However, Mda insists such talks are illegitimate on the basis that the electoral process was marred by irregularities.

“The establishment of government mustn’t be the result of secret deals between certain political parties, at the direct expense of voters, but rather a reflection of the will of the people.”

In her written statement, Mda accuses the IEC of failing to provide transparent results.

She insists the electoral process was flawed from the day of the two days of special votes and demonstrated the commission’s lack of readiness.

“There was a shortage of ink, there were instances where ballot papers were running short, some were issued without being stamped, ballot papers were delivered without the legal escort of the police, and there were people with no official identification arriving at people’s homes purporting to be officials from the IEC.

“On 29th of May [election day], there were similar occurrences which you can’t say then that they were separate issues.”

Mda says she has instructed lawyers to challenge the declaration, saying the IEC rushed to proclaim the results.

“Everything that remains outstanding, now that the election results have been announced ought to be nothing that has a direct or indirect bearing on the outcome of the elections. The IEC ought to wrap a process when there are still questionable issues that are outstanding and have an implication on the outcome of the election.”

When announcing the results nearly two weeks ago, the IEC acknowledged the more than 500 objections that had been raised – but said these had been addressed and that they had no impact on the overall poll results.

Like the MK party, Mda says she is heading to the courts.

“We briefed our lawyers. We’re filing papers. There are so many different parties that are contesting both the process during elections and the outcome using different available mechanisms.”

Mda is demanding that the IEC investigate the alleged irregularities, implement measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the vote counting process, and a rerun of elections.

ALSO READ