IEC asks police to probe Electoral Signature Fraud following suspicions over MK candidate list

Johnathan Paoli

THE Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has noted the allegations that the uMkhonto weSizwe party submitted fraudulent signatures in fulfilment of the candidate nomination requirements, it said in a statement on Monday.

The IEC admitted though that a criminal complaint has been laid with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and said that it welcomed the speedy investigation.

“The Commission calls on the crime investigation authorities to expedite the investigations in order to establish the verity of the allegations made. An expeditious investigation is essential for the conduct of free and fair elections,” the statement read.

The commission confirmed that the signature portal of the candidate nomination system verified whether the identity numbers submitted were of registered citizens of the Republic, alive and registered on the voter’s roll.

The IEC said that it had indicated in the parliamentary process during debates on the institutionalisation of the signature