The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said it will on Sunday evening release the results of the 2024 elections, despite a threat of a legal challenge by some political parties and independent candidates.
This after they accused the IEC of alleged vote rigging and irregularities during the elections.
Briefing the media on Saturday evening at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said that South Africans were anxious for the commission to complete its work and announce the final outcomes.
The announcement comes as the IEC extended the deadline for political parties to lodge the objections to Saturday at 18:00.
Moepya is optimistic that they would have resolved all the objections before declaring the results.
“In this process the attitude of the Commission is not to put form over substance. We are not going to be technical. We are going to look at the issues brought before us, and we are going to consider them in light of assuring the integrity of these elections.
“Where the Commission finds materiality through the results process it will order appropriate remedy which in some instances may include specific recounts,” said Moepya.
He highlighted that the commission has received 579 objections and that this might increase.
According to the Chairperson, the objections received differed from each party and voting stations.
“Where results processes were not completed when objections were filed with the IEC.
“Where third parties report being informed by individuals that they voted for a specific party, but this is not reflecting. Allegations under oath that the complainants’ vote did not reflect at a particular station, but the IEC found that there was basis to investigate.
“People asking about seat allocations and what are the considerations. People raising matters of the conduct of a party, party agents, party supporters during the special votes and on Voting Day itself. We will work through everything before us carefully and thoroughly,” explained Moepya.
More than 20 parties, including uMkhonto weSizwe, African Congress for Transformation, Rise Mzansi, South African Rainbow Alliance, are some that have lodged objections with the IEC by signing a petition.
The parties also raised suspicions after the election result scoreboard was offline for more than two hours on Friday.
Meanwhile, former President and MK leader Jacob Zuma, has cautioned the IEC not to release the results this evening, till all the “discrepancies” have been resolved.
“There’s no rush. Nobody is going to die if we don’t announce the results tomorrow (Sunday). What are we rushing? We need fair, free, credible, and transparent elections,” said Zuma who was addressing the media at the ROC.
Zuma warned that if their concerns were not addressed, they will approach the country’s courts.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to participate in result announcement this evening and will deliver an address as part of the results ceremony.
