Pretoria – The case brought by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), in which the EFF launched an interdict to try stop the IEC from demanding a deposit of R600 000 from all political parties to contest the election, will be heard in court on Tuesday. The EFF, the Presidency, the Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor and the IEC are expected to have made their arguments today at 09H00, at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. But, when proceedings started at 10H00, Judge Joseph Rauling apologized and adjourned the matter because there was no stenographer. He said the case would resume when the stenographer, who operates the court’s recording equipment, was available. An amount of R45 000 per province and R200 000 for national contestation is required by the IEC, to be paid with the submission of a party list in terms of the elections timetable released last week. “EFF strongly rejects the imposition of such a high deposit and views it as simply unfair to new entrants,” said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. “It also serves as a barrier to entry and most importantly it violates the political rights guaranteed in Section 19 of the Constitution. Its ultimate effect is to exclude poor people from exercising the right to stand for office.” He said other parties have also expressed an interest in joining the application. According to the EFF this system unfairly discriminates against new parties, as existing parties receive millions of taxpayers’ money from Parliament. “This is undemocratic and suppresses the full participation in a democratic society,” said Ndlozi. “In essence, EFF rejects the notion that there should be any conditions placed on new entrants that are committed to building the nations’ democracy.” National elections are due to take place on 7 May
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:27:33 +0000
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