The African National Congress (ANC) says it will meet Monday’s deadline to submit its candidate list to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the upcoming Local Government Elections.
The ANC is facing internal challenges, where employees continue on a go-slow, demanding better working conditions and that salaries be paid on time which has not been the case for several months now.
This week, ANC General Manager Febe Potgieter wrote to the employees at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, alerting them that, even under the go-slow, there will need to be some work done to make sure the August 23, 2021 deadline of the IEC is met.
The IEC’s application to have the elections postponed to next year will be heard in the Constitutional Court on Friday.
ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe says, “As it relates to us in finalising the current situation, especially making finality to those men and women who will be part of the local level and even in our propulsion list for the upcoming local government, we have gotten that kind of an assurance. I can tell you now that cadres of the ANC including those that are in the employ of the party are working around the clock to make sure that we would be able to fulfil the timeline and the deadline as set out by the IEC.”
Unpacking all matters affecting the ANC with Pule Mabe:
Communities must be represented by candidates of their choice in the LGE: ANC
African National Congress (ANC) Electoral Committee Head Kgalema Motlanthe has emphasised that communities must be represented by candidates of their choice in the Local Government Elections.
In a media briefing, Motlanthe said that the candidate selection process cannot be completed without the participation of communities.
ANC branches in terms of the rules and procedures of the candidate selection process are required to choose four people to represent them in the polls.
He says once a candidate has been endorsed by a community branch meeting, even if they are not a member of the party, will they be able to stand.
“If the community feels that the four that come from the branch are not equal to the task and do not enjoy the confidence of the community, then the community is free to choose whom so ever if that person who commands the respect and confidence of the community happens to not be a member of the ANC, they are then given the latitude to join and take up membership of the ANC.”
Earlier, ANC Acting Secretary-General Jessie Duarte said the party is preparing for elections should the polls go ahead on October 27.
ANC media briefing on candidate selection for the Local Government Elections:
