Further challenges to electoral laws will impact poll preparations

CAPE TOWN - The Electoral Commission (IEC) says any further challenges to electoral laws will impact on its preparations for the May polls.

On Tuesday, parties represented in Parliament opposed to the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill passed by the House last week were set to announce their plans to challenge its contents.

They are accusing the African National Congress (ANC) of trying to enrich its party coffers by reverting to a previous funding formula, that will see the ruling party benefit significantly more from state allocations.

The Electoral Commission on Tuesday gave Parliament's home affairs committee an update on its preparations for elections.

The Electoral Matters Amendment Bill is currently before the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

It's the last parliamentary hurdle in preparation for independent candidates to stand in the May polls.

It makes provision for them to declare their funding sources just as political parties are required to do.

But it's the method of allocating state funds to parties that has led opposition parties to threaten court action.

The Electoral Commission's Masego Sheburi said it could have consequences for preparations.

"We do not take issue with people going to court to ventilate rights and get adjudication on issues. The issue becomes timing."

He said court challenges close to an election could impact voter behaviour and create uncertainty.

"But we would rather have persons go to court than to make spurious allegations that are unsupported."

He said the Electoral Commission would not hesitate to act against parties whose conduct threatened the integrity of the elections.