Political parties slam DA's request to the West for help in monitoring elections
The governing ANC has accused the DA of putting South Africa’s sovereignty on a silver platter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2023 State of the Nation Address. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the United States (US) and several other countries, including the European Union (UN), appealing for them to help provide resources for independent domestic observers ahead of the 29 May polls.
The main opposition says it also wants them to help with capacity building for the domestic observers. This as it raises concerns over the integrity of the national and provincial elections.
While it has argued that it has full faith in the Electoral Commission (IEC) to run a free and fair election, what it’s calling for is international best practice.
This move has been slammed by several political parties, including the governing African National Congress (ANC), which has accused the DA of putting South Africa’s sovereignty on a silver platter.
The ANC says it’s outrageous that South African political parties are appealing to foreign governments to interfere in this country’s electoral processes.
"It's basically saying we are mortgaging our democracy... It's disingenuous and there's an agenda that underpins that,” said ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking at the party's election campaign in Ekurhuleni over the weekend.
But the DA’s Emma Powell – its spokesperson on international relations has defended her letter.
“It is international best practice throughout most of the world that international observers and election monitors are sent during any key election to monitor the systems and processes of elections to ensure a free and fair outcome.”