IEC's technical systems not fit for purpose, ConCourt told

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for the Labour Party of South Africa have told the Constitutional Court that the Electoral Commission (IEC)'s technical systems were not fit for purpose, preventing some parties from vying for this month's general elections.

The Labour Party was disqualified from contesting when it missed the deadline to submit documents to the IEC exactly two months ago.

It said the portal was overburdened as new parties made last-minute submissions to contest the 29 May elections.

The apex court is hearing an urgent application by the Labour Party and two other parties for leave to appeal a judgment by the Electoral Court.

Advocate Chris Loxton, representing the Labour Party, said the party was unfairly excluded from contesting the elections, calling for the polls to be postponed to give leeway to some parties that didn't meet the deadline.

"The question is not whether or not this system functions in a particular way. The question is could it be used by ordinary people applying the best, reasonable effort. If there is a significant number that couldn't, then the answer is that it was not fit for purpose."