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SA’s 2014 Elections

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South African went to the polls on May 7, 2014 in the country’s fifth democratic elections. The elections saw a 73.43% turn-out which was slightly by 3.87% compared to the 2009 elections.

The 2014 elections saw the ruling African National Congress (ANC) win the poll by 62.15% and control of eight provinces. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) won 22.23% of the ballot and the Western Cape. The party also assumed official opposition status in six provinces.

“New Kids on the block” the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) finished third overall, winning 6.35% of the vote; and opposition status in North West and Limpopo.

The 2014 result was the governing-ANC’s lowest percentage since the advent of democracy, since the party took office in 1994.
The election results from the 2014 elections see the ANC with 249 seats to the opposition’s combined haul of 151 seats in the National Assembly.

Heading into the elections various political parties heeded a call for IEC chairperson Advocate Pansy Tlakula to step down. This after public protector Thuli Madonsela found that Tlakula had flouted procurement regulations when the electoral body sought to secure a R320-million lease for its head office in Centurion.

In September, Tlakula finally bowed to pressure and resigned from the electoral body. This followed the Electoral Court’s recommendation in June that the National Assembly remove Tlakula from her position due to misconduct; and the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Tlakula’s application for leave to appeal that judgment in August.

– By Luvuyo Mdeni

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