The Electoral Commission of South Africa says it is unlikely that it will be able to add the names of 15 parties whose names are omitted from the Local Government Elections ballot paper.
These parties, which include Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA did not, according to the Electoral Commission, provide an abbreviated name or acronym when registering their parties with the institution and thus will only have their logo and names of the ward candidate featured on the November 1 ballot paper.
The parties are aggrieved as an abbreviated name is recognized as an important way in which voters identify the political party they wish to vote for.
IEC Deputy CEO Mawethu Mosery says, “The process to amend your identifiers on the party register is also regulated. It is a thirty-day process which where we are now it is unlikely that it will be successful by the 1st of November so it is unlikely that we will be able to assist any of the 15 political parties”
The ANC missed the deadline for candidate submission – the entire deadline was shifted by the IEC.
'ActionSA' – The name of our party is excluded by the IEC from draft ballot papers – the IEC refuses to amend them.
Free and fair?
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) October 4, 2021
ActionSA was formed in August 2020 by businessman and former Mayor of Johannesburg under the DA, Herman Mashaba.
With the focus to move South Africa forward from corruption and failed government, the party presents itself as a credible alternative to a “broken political system that has failed South Africans for many years”.
The party’s slogan is: “Act as One to build a prosperous, non-racial and secure future for all South Africans.”
Other prominent names of the party include former ANC MPs Dr Makhosi Khoza [eThekwini mayoral candidate] and Vytjie Mentor; and former DA Gauteng leader, John Moodey.
For the 2021 Local Government Elections, the party is contesting six metros around the country – Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane in Gauteng. But it also has candidates lined up for eThekwini, Newcastle and KwaDukuza.
Its inaugural manifesto was launched in September at Old Park Station in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Herman Mashaba addresses ActionSA manifesto launch:
