Members and leaders of political parties, invited guests, our esteemed colleagues from the media, members of the public who are watching us live on television this morning, I bring you greetings from the Electoral Commission.
Seventeen years ago this month, we showed the world that we are able and willing to cooperate and work with one another to build a democratic country. Dogged by a violent past, we pledged that all South Africans must be willing to debate with their political opponents openly and to accommodate their political views.
Today, our country is envied for its reputation of credible elections. Despite numerous challenges, sometime bloody ones, our political parties have respected voters by creating space and environment for the electorate to be exposed to the diversity of this nation.
Democracy and parties
As political leaders, you are here because our Constitution states that you and your parties represent the people and speak for the people. You derive your power from the people. In order for our system of government to function to the best of its ability, we must have an informed electorate who can choose you as their representatives because you suit their needs. You are elected because you act as representatives of the people and pass legislation that affects them and us all.
To get elected, you must campaign; make speeches to sell your election manifestos. Multiparty democracy is thriving in our country. There are 121 parties that will becontesting the elections as opposed to 97 parties in 2006 and 79 in 2001. The number of candidates is 53 596 compared to 45 179 in 2006 and 30477 in 2001. Of the 53 596 candidates 29 570 are party ward candidates and 23278 are party proportional list candidates. The number of independent ward candidates also increased from 667 in 2006 to 748 in 2011.
Also, the number of candidates has increased since the 2006 local elections from 36 479 (including Independent candidates) to 51 886 (i.e. 28 912 Ward; 22 251 PR and 722 Independents). Overall, this shows a remarkable increase in the relevant figures.
Women
I am very proud of women. Despite keeping the home fires burning, women are consistently retained their overall majority in terms of the voter participation gender split at in the voters’ roll. While in terms of candidates, the picture favoured men e.g. in 2006 of the total 36 479 PR and Ward candidates, there were 10 148 men (PR) compared to 6 437 women PR candidates and 14 119 men ward candidates compared to 5 775 women candidates.
This year, the picture seems no different: there are 13 412 men PR and 20 453 men ward candidates compared to 9 866 women PR and 9 865 women Ward candidates. I am happy that a slight increase in the percentage of women candidates has been recorded. The increases in parties and candidates participating in the upcoming election is an indication of a broadening in electoral participation at local level and is very encouraging as for as the entrenchment of democratic processes are concerned.
The IEC is proud of all of you who will be garnering votes to consolidate our gains and deepen our democracy. After three successive and regular national/provincial and numerous local elections we, as a body charged with running free and fair elections are ready to deliver another election.
For us to achieve this objective, we you the voters watching us and listening to us, we need all of you as political leaders, party cadres, organs of the civil society and the media to work together with us in cultivating a spirit and environment of peace, security and tolerance as we enter this exciting political season in our political calendar.
Multipartyism
While democracy, unquestionably, is a positive force, it cannot exist without a multiparty foundation and a basic respect of human rights of all people. Without these foundations in place, a democracy will collapse upon itself. Without multiparty tolerance, democracy will slide into a theocracy, and without a respect for human rights, democracy will slide even faster into tyranny of the majority.
The foundations of multi-party politics and respect for life and different views must stand above the majority's wishes. From the onset each political party must be willing to compromise and to work together. That why we are here today. We are here because democracy is a long-term project. It only happens when parties work hard to entrench it, when parties mobilise democratic principles to expand their rights and make the government more responsive. The established democracies consolidated and deepened over time only with continuous struggles by its people and political parties to make their polity progressively more responsive and participatory. As partners in making democracy work, we thank you for your resilience.
Party Liaison Committees (PLCs)
Ladies and gentlemen, we are very proud of the Party Liaison Committees (PLCs). A PLC or Party Liaison Committee comprises members and representatives of registered parties at National and Provincial levels who regularly meet with the IEC in terms of the provisions of the Electoral Act (73 of 1998). South Africa’s multi-party democratic process is increasingly being admired by the international community and the IEC works closely with political parties in addressing matters of mutual interest through the PLCs as well as fostering dialogue and political tolerance. This goes a long way in assisting the Commission to address any apparent hurdles that may pose challenges in elections.
Thriving democracy
Our past elections have brought the world wonderful examples of how democracy is supposed to work; they have also shown that the majority of people within the world truly desire it.
Sure, our country has had problems: struggling economy, political intolerance, and other challenges. But all those problems are slowly diminishing as democratic principles gained more control of the nation, a prospect that is bound to occur as long as democratic elections continue.
The elections in our very own country are examples of democracy's resilience. South
Africa was polarised, angry and hated as pariah state. Despite all these factors, our nation has been able to hold fair, free elections. A majority of those who vote dictate the direction in which they want South Africa to go ensuring that the very essence of democracy is fulfilled.
Why mention all of these recent democratic successes? Why what is seems like such a mundane occurrence so important? Because successful a democracy eventually brings a happy and thriving nation. While democracy may be a work in progress and will not happen overnight in the Middle East, it can and will triumph if given the opportunity. Look at countries like Japan, Italy, Germany and Russia. Although it is not easy and many of these countries, such as Russia and scores of them across the continent, are still struggling from the transformation, it is definitely possible and worthwhile.
Current challenges
Ladies and gentlemen, election shenanigans are not the exclusive preserve of this continent: we will do well to cast our eyes across the continent, particularly the Arab world to see that democratic principles are far from being entrenched.
In our country pluralism has always outweighed the expectations of individual ambition. Apartheid made our country the world's largest social engineering laboratory. The process of its decommissioning is well under way but remains far from closure. It is still early in the life of the new South Africa, and just like any 17 year-old, signs of maturity and adolescence seem to be competing with one another.
Ladies and gentlemen, our democracy entrenched and our judiciary is strong to protect it. You all remember that some parties have taken us to court. Sometimes they win, sometimes we win. This demonstrates the maturity of our democracy and the importance of the rule of law we all respect.
Call to candidates and parties
Let me turn my attention to our local elected leaders and those who wish to be mayors, councillors in this next municipal election cycle. To you I wish for great courage and strength of heart. You have the task of challenging your communities to become less concerned with perceptions from without and more concerned with making change from within.
Like state officials, you must be willing to change your focus and the focus of those you lead from external contempt to internal inspiration. You must tell people that no one will care about their community if it appears they do not. This means being painfully honest about the state of affairs now and the length of time that change will require.
Believe in respectful debates and campaigns. Talk about who you are and what you do for the voters in your district. Tear down your egocentric desire to win no matter the price. Your kids will imitate you. Give them the best of you now, because later will never happen.
Robust campaigning
There are many people who believe that all of you who are in this hall this morning that the robust debate become so heated such that you are too negative to each other. As the IEC, there is nothing wrong with robust debate until it crosses the line and becomes unfair, deceptive, or hateful. You can campaign without being malicious. Spitefulness degrades the attacker and diminishes the process. It feeds media obsessions and trivialises debate.
I know that political competition, like war, is not for the thin-skinned and fainthearted.
It is hard and bloody. I know that great issues require drawing clear lines between combatants and their opposing viewpoints. Civil rights, economic justice, public safety, constitutional liberties, their defence demands implacable resolve.
The best political leaders are tough operators, able to throw as many punches as they take. But when they fight, they do it civilly. When negative campaigning is untruthful and without context, it smears, innuendo and populist slogans create an atmosphere that does not easily allow for a true debate of programmes and policies.
Electoral code of conduct
Ladies and gentlemen, our primary mandate as the IEC is to deliver free and fair elections. We are mindful of the fact that such an election can only be possible is the environment is conducive. Peace, stability and political tolerance are critical factors that can make this possible.
As reasoned thought and experience have shown us, there needs to be a system in place to protect the freedom of speech. That is why our electoral law has come out with a code of conduct.
That is why we are here to ask all of you to sign that code. The code promotes conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections, including tolerance of democratic political activity, free political campaigning and open public debate. We are grateful and happy that you are here to show your commitment to work hard and see free and fair elections.
Rest in peace
Ladies and gentlemen, the IEC has been blessed with talent. Unfortunately two of them have passed on. They are no longer with us, The late Zolisa Lindelo Mafuya and Judge Herbert Qedusizi Msimang who passed away a few days ago have contributed immensely in their own ways to the work of the Electoral Commission, Mr Mafuya was the Chief Risk Officer at the time of his death although he also worked as the Commission’s Chief Financial Officer for many years; Judge Msimang played an invaluable role in the IEC with his legal acumen and served as one of the Commissioners who, by law, must be a judge. With their passing, the Commission has incurred a serious loss and it is unthinkable how we will run this year’s elections without their inputs as they have done over the year. May their souls rest in peace.
Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is my last election I will be presiding as chairperson. I want to thank you for the supports you have give me and my colleagues in the IEC over the years. Your support has been an endorsement of the political process which has brought about a turnaround in all sectors of national life particularly in the economic and political fields. The evolution of our electoral process has registered a visible change for the better.
I also want to thank the police and army for sacrificing their time, effort and resources towards helping the Commission to run free, fair and credible elections. As the Commission, we know the challenges that go with the running of elections and therefore understand the troubles they take towards ensuring law and order before, during and after the elections. To the men in uniform, I say thank you.
Your support has created harmony amongst all the three pillars of state and helps the institutions to function independently upholding the national interests and helped to create free and fair elections.
As the referee for elections, I and my colleagues once again commit ourselves to deliver a free, fair and credible election. We call upon citizens and political parties to be our partners in this endeavour.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Source: Independent Electoral Commission
