South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has dismissed suggestions that opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, violated the electoral code by addressing his party members outside the voting station.
This follows African National Congress (ANC) head of elections, Fikile Mbalula’s objection to Malema addressing his supporters after he cast his vote at Mponegele Primary School in Seshego, Limpopo Province.
Malema cast his vote alongside his wife Mantwa, his aunt and another grandmother, at around 0830 GMT in his hometown of Polokwane.
After casting his vote, he went to thank his party members outside the voting station for supporting him and his family during their bereavement of his grandmother who died last week.
Responding to a reporter’s question about Malema’s address, Mbalula said that “this is unlawful” and asked: “What is Julius doing?”
Mbalula dismissed those who pointed out to him that former president Jacob Zuma and president Cyril Ramaphosa had also addressed their supporters outside their voting stations in Nkandla and Soweto, respectively.
On its part, the IEC said: “We can confirm that party leaders may address their followers outside a voting station, as long as it doesn’t impede the operation of the voting station. This is not construed as campaigning.” NM/APA