MK moves to interdict first parliamentary sitting

The MK party says this step comes after its legal representatives issued a formal demand to the Chief Justice and the Secretary to Parliament on Friday to postpone the first sitting of the country's new parliament.

However, the authorities responsible for arranging the NA's inaugural session within 14 days of the election results, informed the party that there were no plans to postpone the much-anticipated first sitting.

The party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, says this response left it with no alternative but to turn to the Constitutional Court and ask the highest court in the land to postpone this first sitting until the party's grievances have been addressed in court.

The MK party is alleging election fraud and vote rigging during the 29 May national and provincial elections. 

"In defence of our people's constitutional rights, the MK Party will file papers with the constitutional court to interdict the swearing-in of party-nominated candidates as members of the National Assembly until our grievances, which are premised on allegations of election fraud and rigging, are thoroughly addressed by the courts," says party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela.

"Despite our legally sound and legitimate objections as submitted in line with section 55 to the IEC, the parliament's response disregarded our request by spearheading an agenda to proceed regardless of such concerns which are serious in their nature.

"In response, we have directed our attorneys to urgently seek an interdict from the Constitutional Court to postpone the session while these critical legal issues and questionable election results which point to grossly serious grievances of possible election fraud and rigging are addressed."

Ndhlela adds that the MK Party and other political parties remain committed, through peaceful and constitutional means, to safeguard the results of the recent general election. 

"Hence, it remains our strong resolve that allowing the National Assembly to sit amidst such significant doubts on the legal validity of the election process would be a betrayal of the electorate's trust, who expect their votes to be honoured and reflected accurately in governmental proceedings.

"MK Party and other concerned political parties, including their members, will continue to exercise their peaceful democratic right to seek to ensure that the election results are free and fair. We remain confident and resolute in ensuring that the re-run of elections will take place within three months as per section 49(3) of the constitution, once the sham of the election results have been set aside by the court."

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