'Credibility has always been on our side,' says former IEC chair amid concerns
Dr Brigalia Bam - who was involved with the IEC between 1994 and 2011 said every election presents its own challenges, whether from a logistical, technological, or population point.
Picture: RODGER BOSCH / AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Former chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Dr Brigalia Bam has brushed away the credibility concerns regarding commission, saying it remains one of the best election administers in the world.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, ActionSA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are just a few of the political parties that have publicly cast doubt on the IEC’s handling of the general elections.
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However, Bam said until concrete evidence is produced, these are just usual grumblings from parties that are unhappy with their electoral performance.
"The word credibility has always been on our side, even at the time when we knew very little about managing elections, but credibility was always tied in South Africa with our own image that we were part of at that time."
Bam was involved with the IEC between 1994 and 2011. She said every election presents its own challenges, whether from a logistical, technological, or population point.
"You can read as many books as you like, you can copy as many models as you like, but the real experience comes from doing, and the reason is that communities and people who are in these various communities of ours are different citizens, and these different citizens are committed to democracy."