The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on Monday distanced itself from a call by some opposition parties for IEC Chairperson Pansy Tlakula to resign.
“At no meeting of the IFP national council or national executive committee was such passed,” it said in a statement.
“We remain of the viewpoint that Advocate Tlakula, in the interest of free, fair and stable elections, should be allowed to stay at the helm of the IEC for now.”
Earlier in April, opposition parties said they were worried about the credibility of the May 7 elections.
The parties met the management of the Independent Electoral Commission.
It was said that parties calling for her resignation were the United Democratic Movement (UDM), the Azanian People’s Organisation (Azapo), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the IFP, the United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP), the Congress of the People (COPE), Agang SA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
We will start implementing the resolution of the political parties who agreed she should step down
The opposition parties are giving Tlakula until the end of business on Monday to respond to their demand; otherwise they are threatening legal action.
The IEC has not responded to questions from Sapa on whether Tlakula would resign.
Earlier, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the parties had not received any communication from Tlakula.
“We will start implementing the resolution of the political parties who agreed she should step down,” he said.
“We have identified a law firm who will take the matter forward starting from Tuesday onwards.”
Holomisa said he was waiting for the other opposition parties to let him know if they would join the legal action. He has given them until 3pm on Monday.
Agang SA and the EFF on Monday said they were still behind the call for her resignation.
“We are still calling for her to step aside and will join legal action if she does not,” said Agang SA Deputy National spokesperson Andrew Gasnolar.
Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele has previously said the electoral body should be headed by a person “without a whiff of a cloud over her head”.
EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlovu said: “We are waiting for her response.”
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