DA defends call for more international election observers

Steenhuisen says the party has written to various international organisations asking them to assist South Africa to safeguard elections.

He was speaking to the media following  the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct at Gallagher Convention centre in Midrand on Thursday.

The party had previously written to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, pleading for additional resources to bolster the deployment of elections observers for SA elections.

During the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct on Thursday, Steenhuisen reiterated the party's call for the IEC to allow more election observers to ensure free and fair elections.

"We have already observed how the impending loss of power by a once-dominant party has opened up space for radicalism and violent threats.

"I wish to emphasise to the IEC today that the competitive new political reality that confronts us places enormous responsibilities on the shoulders of this Chapter 9 institution.

"This moment in history calls upon the IEC to serve as the midwife for South Africa’s transition to a truly mature, competitive democracy.

"It is a task in which the IEC dare not fail.

"We therefore call upon the IEC to take firm and decisive action against all those who threaten or act to undermine the integrity and outcome of this watershed election.

"We also reiterate our call for far more international observers to be accredited to ensure a free and fair election.

The more eyes we have on this historic election, the better."

He said the party did not only write to the US.

"We have extended the invitation to international observers from Africa, Europe and other countries that have had elections, because we believe like 1994, this election is going to be a seminal moment in our democratic country.

"It is not unusual to call for international observers when you have pivotal elections, in fact it was the ANC in 1994 that called for more international observers because they were worried that the National Party is going to swing the results in their favour.

"We now have the ANC that is going to do everything it can to cling to power, do calling for more international observers is nothing unusual," added Steenhuisen.

International Relations Minister  Naledi Pandor had previously described the request from the DA as "astounding".

 President Cyril Ramaphosa also accused the DA of seeking to "mortgage" the nation to foreign powers.

The IEC has accredited over 100 institutions that have applied to serve as observers.

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