IEC slams Jacob Zuma for claiming bias without evidence
Former IEC Vice Chairperson Terry Tselane speaks to Africa Melane about election integrity and the role of political leaders.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of the uMkhontho weSizwe (MK) party on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
Some political party leaders don't understand the electoral system, despite the positions they hold, says Terry Tselane, former IEC Vice Chairperson and Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa.
His comments come after the IEC vice-chairperson Janet Love was on Wednesday forced to respond to allegations of bias levelled against the commission by former president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma made the claims while campaigning for the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, accusing the electoral body of favouring the African National Congress (ANC).
Love told reporters, "The commission has received absolutely no evidence of bias and rejects this kind of talk."
Tselane says the issue comes down to a lack of understanding of the electoral system by some political leaders.
"I think the comments are a reflection of a misunderstanding of the electoral processes."
- Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman - Institute of Election Management Services in Africa
"Quite a number of leaders don't seem to understand what happens in the electoral processes despite the positions that they hold."
- Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman - Institute of Election Management Services in Africa
"It is important that when leaders make these kinds of statements, the Commission makes an attempt to get in touch with these kind of leaders so they can actually clarify their position."
- Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman - Institute of Election Management Services in Africa
"It is very dangerous to make unsubstantiated comments, especially from people who have held such important positions."
- Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman - Institute of Election Management Services in Africa
"There is transparency... there are instruments and mechanisms that have been put in place to make sure that a person or organsations can monitor what is happening at the local level, hence the presence of party agents at the voting station as well as election observers."
- Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman - Institute of Election Management Services in Africa