Durban - The Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal has dismissed a complaint raised by the IFP regarding alleged irregularities with the voters roll in ward 99 in eThekwini, which is set for a by-election in December.
The IEC was responding following a complaint lodged by the IFP over what the party labelled as “irregularities” that it had picked up on the voters’ roll.
A few days ago, IFP treasurer Narend Singh at a media briefing expressed the party’s concerns over the addresses of some voters, saying they had found that a large number of voters had been registered under an address found to be that of a local police station.
The election in ward 99 follows the killing of the ward councillor in September this year.
The IEC said it had conducted an investigation regarding the complaint.
IEC head of commission services Mlungisi Kelembe said while there had been allegations of irregularities, no evidence was provided to support this.
“While investigating this complaint, the IEC noted that you did not lodge or attempt to lodge an objection to the voters roll,” Kelembe said in response to the IFP.
“The commission nonetheless remains mindful of its obligations to ensure free and fair elections and will act consistent with that responsibility in the conduct of this by-election,” said Kelembe.
This week some parts of KZN are set for by-elections with the by-election for ward 5 in Mthonjaneni Municipality on the North Coast set to be a close contest between the IFP and the ANC.