MK Party, EFF reject 2 nominees approved for reappointment as IEC commissioners

The two main opposition parties in Parliament have rejected two of the nominees approved for reappointment as commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), claiming that other capable candidates were ignored.

The National Assembly on Tuesday approved the nominations of current IEC chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, current commissioner, Judge Dhaya Pillay, and newcomer, Joyce Pitso, for recommendation to the president.

And while the majority of parties did not vote against the nominations, they were nevertheless critical of the process and not introducing new blood to the Electoral Commission.

Both the MK Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have once again cried foul over the 2024 elections, claiming votes were stolen from their parties.

With eight nominations sent by the interviewing panel to Parliament for consideration, the EFF's Thapelo Mogale said that current commissioners, Mosotho Moepya and Judge Dhaya Pillay, failed to impress.

"The panel was clear that these two candidates would not offer any meaningful solutions to address the growing voter apathy and the high number of unregistered, eligible voters."

ActionSA's Malebo Kobe said her party also did not support the return of Moepya, and that the commission needed younger nominees.

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader, Kenneth Meshoe, questioned whether the nominees had been properly vetted for impartiality and whether Parliament was merely acting as a rubber stamp.

"There’s been real concern that Parliament hasn’t done enough to check political ties or past conduct. The process felt rushed and public input has not been properly considered."

The United Democratic Movement (UDM)'s Thandi Nontenja said her party also did not approve of the recycling of commissioners and abstained from voting on the report.