IEC says legal team looking into objections lodged against it
A few political parties have called for a recount even before the results have been finalised, claiming some votes were rigged.
The IEC's national results centre at Gallagher Estate in Midrand on 29 May 2024. Picture: Mongezi Koko/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says its legal team is looking at the objections lodged against it based on claims that the elections were rigged.
A few parties have called for a recount even before the results have been finalised.
ALSO READ:
- 'Credibility has always been on our side,' says former IEC chair amid concerns
- Magashule says ACT considering legal action against IEC over alleged vote rigging
- IEC WC media briefing postponed as EFF, NCC cry foul over votes
With over 18,000 votes on the national ballot, and as counting reached 98% on Saturday, the African Congress for Transformation (ACT) believes it was robbed.
Speaking at the National Results Operations Centre (ROC), ACT leader Ace Magashule said ballot boxes were tampered with and further said the current election results are not a true reflection of the political party’s electoral support.
This as some parties have been using the turnouts at their rallies to gauge how much support they have.
IEC general manager Granville Abrahams said the commission is aware of the claims.
"The objections have been noted. We have a full team of legal advisors, and they should have received an acknowledgement of those objections.
“The objections will be considered and dealt with before the announcement of the results, so I don’t have a time frame for that."
Abrahams said objections during the elections are not unusual.
"It is part of the process of free and fair elections that anyone who feels aggrieved has the right to object to the commission. The commission is currently seized with those."