The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it is “concerned” about some of the Electoral Commission of SA's early handling of elections, but has promised to accept the results.
Elections got under way with special votes on Monday, but the IEC has already received complaints about a number of incidents.
EFF secretary-general and KZN premier candidate Marshall Dlamini told TimesLIVE Premium complaints of voting stations opening late and vehicles carrying ballots without any police escorts have caused them to question the credibility of the elections.
“Police must make sure there’s stability in the country and the IEC must ensure that they’re efficient. The future of South Africa is in the hands of the IEC now. If they want it to burn in corruption by letting wrong things happen in their name at the voting stations, it would be their decision,” he said.
“If they decide they are going to preside over these elections in an unfair and unfree manner, they must know they destroyed a beautiful country because we’ve all left South Africa in their hands.”
Dlamini was speaking after casting his special vote at the Trinity Methodist Church in Durban North on Tuesday.
He said another cause for concern was a video on social media of an eThekwini municipal bakkie seemingly carrying ballot papers. He said they have not received any news about it, prompting them to file a complaint with the IEC, which has promised to investigate.
He also alleged there were reports of voting stations that did not open for special votes in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape on Monday.
“All those are reasons for concern because if they don’t open voting stations, then how should people meant to vote there exercise their constitutional right?”
“For elections to be free and fair they should open all voting stations in time and make sure all vehicles carrying ballots are escorted so that no ballots go to people’s houses overnight.”
Despite those concerns, Dlamini called on South Africans to go to the polls.
“I would like to stress to people that it’s their opportunity now to choose the leaders they think will best represent them. Our democracy and constitution allow us the chance to change the country to what we want it to be. We’ve done all the talking as politicians, from tomorrow it’s their time to speak through the ballot.”
He added that the EFF's campaign in KwaZulu-Natal had gone smoothly as they were “welcomed with open arms” even in areas not known to be their strongholds such as Umzinyathi, Ulundi and Nongoma.
The EFF is going into the elections with confidence, but that should not be mistaken for any preconceived expectations, said Dlamini.
He said the number of votes they get will not necessarily determine the success or failure of their 2024 campaign, they will take it as a message from voters, but they are hopeful it will be a positive one.
“It’s important to respect voters. We should not allow the love for our party to overshadow our love for South Africans in general, so we will accept what voters give us, like we did in 2014 and 2019 because they will be communicating a certain message to us. But we’re confident that it will be a positive message this time. This is the third time we’re running in national elections, and we’re confident that people will give us an overwhelming majority, but if they don’t we will also accept that.”
“Every voter is important so we won’t behave like spoilt brats or like we’re entitled to anything and say we don’t accept the results just because we’re not happy with them.”
He cautioned people about blocking access to voting stations or not voting as a form of protest and encouraged them to use their vote to voice their concerns.
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