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In a statement issued on Saturday, the African National Congress (ANC) secretary general,
Fikile Mbalula, expressed grave concern over the unauthorized public disclosure of their
candidate lists for the upcoming elections. Mbalula stated that the leaking of the confidential
document not only breaches the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act but also
poses a reputational risk for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
“It unfairly advantages opposition parties who will have two weeks to inspect and prepare
objections against ANC candidates, whilst the ANC will have only two days to do so in
relation to the candidates of other parties,” Mbalula said, highlighting the imbalance created
by the leak.
The ANC’s concerns extend beyond the legal implications, as Mbalula pointed out the
potential reputational risk for the IEC. “It also poses a reputation risk for the IEC. We wish to
reiterate our full confidence in the IEC’s proven track record of administering and overseeing
free, fair and credible elections over the past three decades,” he added.
According to the IEC’s timetable, party candidate lists are scheduled to be open for
inspection on March 26 and 27, providing a brief window for parties to review and lodge
objections, if necessary. However, the premature disclosure of the ANC’s list has given
opposition parties an extended period to scrutinize and prepare their objections, while the
ANC itself will only have the designated two days to do so for other parties’ lists.
The ANC’s statement underscores the party’s commitment to upholding the principles of
free, fair, and credible elections, while also highlighting the potential implications of such
leaks on the electoral process’s integrity.
