IEC has no choice but to sanction EFF for illegal campaigning

27 September 2021

The DA has served the IEC with a notice of illegal campaigning, unlawful electoral behaviour and the criminal violation of gathering rules, by the EFF yesterday at its illegal campaign event in Johannesburg – a Covid-19 super-spreader event.

The IEC now has no choice but to sanction the EFF for breaking the law, and breaking the rules of this Election. The IEC cannot show favour or partisanship to the EFF, and it must uphold and apply the law.

In our estimation, the only logical sanction to the EFF is to disqualify them from contesting this election.

It is a most egregious, serious and fundamental violation of the election period to hold an illegal campaign event.

There is no need for the IEC to conduct any investigation or review as the images and videos from the EFF’s event clearly demonstrates them violating lockdown regulations such as mask-wearing, social distancing and the 500 legal limit for outdoor gatherings. The law, limiting gatherings to 500 persons, is the law.

Unless the IEC holds the EFF to full account, it cannot be seen to facilitate free and fair elections. There cannot be one set of rules for one political party and another set of rules for the others.

The EFF is not above the law and the IEC has a constitutional obligation to protect the integrity of the elections and to shield our democracy form those who seek to destabilise it.

The IEC must do what is right and hold the EFF accountable for their actions by disqualifying them from participating in the upcoming elections.

Issued by Natasha Mazzone, Chief Whip of the Official Opposition, 27 September 2021