IEC says seats numbers could change amid 197 objections: Moepya

Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson Mosotho Moepya says the number of seats reflected in the provisional election results could change depending on the outcome of objections lodged with the Commission.

Moepya says, as of 3pm on Saturday, the IEC had received 197 objections. Of these, 54 had been dismissed, 8 withdrawn and two upheld, while the remaining objections were still under consideration.

He says the Commission would uphold any objection deemed material to the final result before formally declaring the election outcomes.

He reiterates that parties and candidates dissatisfied with its rulings retain the right to challenge those decisions in the Electoral Court within seven days.

“The Commission upholds an objection after the results of an election have been declared. in other words, post-tomorrow, maybe on Wednesday or something. it may refer the objection to the electoral court for its decision if the commission holds the opinion that the seriousness and extent of unlawful conduct or irregularities justify the setting aside of an election.”

VIDEO | IEC media briefing on vote counting:

Recount of votes

Moepya adds that the IEC has ordered a recount of votes in five wards.

“The process of recapturing will undertake as soon as possible recounts have been ordered for five wards which are city pof Tshwane ward 57 and the voting district is called village Montessori school. The 2nd one is city of Tshwane ward 102 voting station is pat project. He 3rd in Mangaung metro ward 19, Erlich Park Fire Station. The 4th is Thaba Chweu local municipality is ward 4 shalom church centre and the last one is Breede valley local municipality ward 12 and the voting district is Christian light ministries. The commission will spare no efforts to finalize the objections before it announces the election results.”