THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has extended its deadline for political parties and independent candidates to register for the local government elections, handing a lifeline to the embattled ANC, which risked ceding control over key municipalities and metros after missing a previous deadline for submission of lists.
The decision follows last week’s ruling by the Constitutional Court that the vote must take place between October 27 and November 1, and that the voters’ roll must be reopened.
At a media briefing on Monday, the commission stated that it was necessary to allow political parties and independent candidates an opportunity to nominate candidates after the voter registration weekend has occurred and after the voters’ roll has closed.
IEC commissioner Mosotho Moepya also rejected suggestions that the extension or reopening of candidate registration is meant to benefit or advance the interests of the governing party.
“We reject those views. We are
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