The Independent Electoral Commission says it is just as frustrated with the signature requirement for contesting in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
The commission briefed the media at its offices in Centurion amid revelations that it has no means of verifying their veracity. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo recounted how the commission opposed the idea when it was presented in parliament’s portfolio on home affairs and opposed by the IEC.
“The signature requirement is actually not an idea or invention of the commission. In fact our submission at the time was that the requirement was to cause frustration, that’s when it was presented in the portfolio committee on home affairs,” said Mamabolo referring to discussions towards the adaptation of the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill.
A former member of the MK party recently claimed him and other party leaders had forged signatures, an allegation that is now being probed by the police.
Mamabolo said there has not been any recorded progress on the investigation.
“The MK signature issue is still under police investigation. We reiterate our call for the relevant security authorities to expedite their investigations so that the truth can be established or rather the veracity around the claims can be established,” he said.