Moseneke Inquiry: DA objects to the postponement of 2021 Local Government Elections
The DA has today presented oral submissions to the Moseneke Inquiry in support of the Local Government Elections (LGE) proceeding this year. The submissions can be accessed here.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) appointed Judge Dikgang Moseneke to prepare a report in terms of Section 14(4) of the Electoral Commission Act. The Inquiry was established to make findings and recommendations on whether the IEC would be able to ensure a free and fair 2021 LGE.
The DA does not support the postponement of the LGE and submitted the following arguments to back our position:
The LGE must adhere to the Constitutionally prescribed timeframe:
According to our Constitution, the LGE must take place every 5 years. The decision by the IEC, as a Constitutional body operating in a Constitutional democracy, to investigate whether it is likely or not to ensure a free and fair election, should never have been made on the grounds that some political parties hold the view that the election should not take place within the Constitutionally prescribed timeframe.