SOUTH Africa’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has requested the Electoral Court to declare the 2024 general elections invalid, citing concerns that the elections were not conducted in a free and fair manner, as reported by government media SABC.
The MK Party, which did not attend the first sitting of the National Assembly and is now the third-largest political party in South Africa, is seeking a court order for new elections to be held. In its filed papers, the party alleges it would ‘in all likelihood have won’ the elections if they had been conducted properly.
Allegations of voting irregularities
The MK Party claims that the May polls were marred by ‘serious voting irregularities,’ with over nine million votes allegedly unaccounted for. These claims are detailed in an affidavit by the party’s National Organiser, Nathi Nhleko, who argues that the electoral process was fundamentally flawed.
Another opposition party, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has also petitioned the Electoral Court to nullify the May 29 elections, alleging ‘miscalculations, vote rigging, and corruption.’ The ATM insists that the elections were not free and fair, despite participating in the first session of the National Assembly, which saw the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and President.
Official stance and inauguration plans
The Electoral Commission (IEC) declared the 2024 general elections free and fair on June 2. The African National Congress (ANC) and other coalition parties have yet to comment on the MK Party’s allegations and the subsequent legal actions.
In the meantime, South Africa has announced the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa, scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Despite the ongoing legal disputes, preparations for the inauguration are underway, reflecting the IEC’s stance on the validity of the election results.
The unfolding legal battles highlight significant contention over the electoral process, with major implications for South Africa’s political landscape.
