25 February 2009
The national and provincial elections timetables which were published on 16
February 2009, provide the legislative framework and dates for all
electionârelated activities such as the submission of candidates' lists and the
issuing of certificates to candidates among others.
Only parties that are registered with the Electoral Commission are eligible
to submit candidate lists and contest the elections. The cut off date for the
submission of lists of candidates is Monday, 2 March 2009 before 17h00.
A registered party contesting the election of the National Assembly must
submit a national list and nine regional lists, alternatively only nine
regional lists. If a party wants to contest an election of any or all of the
provincial legislature elections, it must submit a provincial list for each of
the provincial legislatures it is contesting.
Candidate lists must be accompanied by:
* A written undertaking and declaration by the party.
* A written resolution identifying and authorising a party official to submit
the list of candidates.
* The election deposit for each election the party is contesting. Parties
contesting for the National Assembly will have to pay a deposit of R180 000
while parties contesting provincial legislatures will pay R40 000 per province.
The deposits can only be paid by means of a bank guaranteed cheque. The
respective deposit is refundable if a party wins at least one seat in the
legislature they are contesting.
* A signed undertaking and acceptance of nomination by each candidate appearing
on the lists
* An A5 colour photo of the leader of the party (the photo will appear on the
ballot paper).
Registered parties who intend to contest the elections, both nationally and
provincially, are required to deliver their candidates' lists, the accompanying
documents and deposits by hand to the Chief Electoral Officer at Election
House, 260 Walker Street, Sunnyside in Pretoria before 17h00 on Monday, 2 March
2009. No other means of delivery of lists are accepted, nor will be lists be
accepted at any other office of the commission. No late submissions of lists
are allowed.
On submission of the lists, the nominating party will receive an
acknowledgement of receipt which will be date and time stamped. This receipt
is, however, not proof that the party's lists and documents have complied with
the legislative requirements.
The election timetable also regulates the following activities with regard
to candidate nomination:
* The Chief Electoral Officer must notify a registered party that has
submitted a list of candidates of non-compliance by 6 March.
* If the notified party takes the opportunity to comply, the party must do so
by 10 March.
* The Chief Electoral Officer must give notice by 16 March that on 16 and 17
March between 09h00 and 17h00, copies of the lists of candidates and
accompanying documents will be available for inspection.
* Any person, including the Chief Electoral Officer, may object to a candidate
by submitting a written objection to the Commission in Pretoria by no later
than 18 March.
* The commission must decide an objection and must notify the objector and the
registered party that nominated the candidate of its decision by 23
March.
* The objector or the registered party who nominated the candidate may appeal
against a decision of the Commission to the Electoral Court by no later than 26
March.
* The Electoral Court must consider and decide an appeal and notify the parties
to the appeal and the Chief Electoral Officer of the decision by 31
March.
* The Chief Electoral Officer will by 3 April, compile a list of the registered
parties contesting the elections and as well as the final list of candidates
for each of those parties.
* The Chief Electoral Officer will issue a certificate for each candidate on a
final list of candidates stating that the person is a candidate in this
election by 7 April.
For more information on candidate nomination and the forms, please visit the
IEC website at www.elections.org.za
For media enquiries please contact:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
25 February 2009
