ANC STATEMENT ON CALLS FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ADV TLAKULA
The African National Congress has noted with concern statements attributed to various political parties calling for the resignation of the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Advocate Pansy Tlakula (see report). The African National Congress reaffirms its confidence in the commitment, willingness and expertise of the IEC as a whole, led by its Chairperson, to deliver credible, free and fair elections as they have done during the past 20 years of our democracy.
The allegations surrounding the acquisition of the IEC headquarters in Centurion have no bearing on the 2014 General Elections and the ANC is confident that the IEC has in place the necessary procedures and systems to deal with such allegations, without the interference of any political party.
As a member of the Party Liaison Committee, the legislated and legitimate platform for multiparty engagement with the IEC on matters pertaining to the Elections, the African National Congress shares the sentiment held by many parties in the PLC for the need to support and strengthen the work of the IEC instead of seeking to demonise its leadership and disrupt its functioning 34 days before Election Day.
Any calls therefore for the resignation of the IEC Chairperson, we view as opportunistic, malicious and designed to cast doubt over the credibility of the General Election of 2014. Further, inflammatory calls that have been made in recent days including reckless threats of a civil war, set an extremely dangerous precedent intended to undermine institutions of our democracy and the very foundation upon which is built.
The African National Congress calls upon all South Africans to reject attempts to delegitimise the IEC and thus create an environment that casts aspersion on its work and by necessary implication, the 2014 General Election. Together as a nation and including all the Political Parties contesting the 2014 General Elections we must once again recommit ourselves to peaceful, credible, free and fair election; a non-negotiable principle and responsibility that we collectively owe to past, current and future generations.
Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, April 3 2014
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