IFP Submits Application to Con Court for Leave to Intervene in IEC Relief Proceedings
14 August 2021
On 10 August 2021, IFP President, Hon. Velenkosini Hlabisa, submitted an application to the Constitutional Court for leave to intervene, or alternatively, be admitted as amicus curiae, in the matter between the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Others, seeking a postponement of the 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE).
As the fourth largest Party in Parliament, as well as the Official Opposition in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the IFP has a direct and substantial interest in these proceedings. Further, the IFP would like to offer “what it considers to be a practical solution to be considered in conjunction with the relief sought”.
The IFP is on record as being in agreement with the IEC that the 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE) need to be postponed.
However, we are of the belief that due to various considerations – including the ability for elections to be deemed free and fair, as well as health considerations linked to the Covid-19 pandemic - a delay until February 2022 might not prove sufficient. As the relief sought will only provide for one postponement, we suggest that the revised date for the LGE be 29 May 2022.