The GOOD Party notes the decision by the Electoral Commission of South Africa rejecting our objection to the result of the George by-elections held on 18 and 19 July 2023.
The commission has concluded that the by-election in Ward 16, 20 and 27 was free and fair.
The Good Party is consulting our attorneys on the outcome.
A few days before the scheduled by-elections in George, the GOOD Party requested a postponement after discovering widespread allegations of fraud in the registration of voters.
At the time, the IEC declined to postpone the by-elections because it said it had been made aware of the evidence too late.
Among the irregularities listed in GOOD’s objection to the IEC were (1) The IEC’s failure to detect and investigate radical increases in the number of “eligible” voters, and (2) High numbers of voters registered at single addresses.
The objection included affidavits signed by DA canvassers confessing that they had been paid R300 a day to falsely register voters from Thembalethu (where a
by-election wasn’t held) at addresses in wards where by-elections were taking place. The re-registered Thembalethu voters were listed as living at the canvassers’ address.
The DA has, itself, conceded to this fraud having taken place. In proceedings of the Electoral Court on the eve of the by-elections, it said it had been deceived by “activists”.
With a critical general election scheduled for next year, set to be the most contested in history, it is of critical importance that the IEC is viewed as 100% competent and independent. Anything short of that number could be a recipe for disaster.
GOOD will review a way forward.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 082 518 3264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za