POLITICAL NEWS - Barring one party, local political party representatives signed the Electoral Code of Conduct at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) meeting last Friday, 1 October, at the George Town Hall.
The meeting was closed to the media, but as far as George Herald could establish, the EFF was the only party that refused to sign.
The code of conduct requires all registered parties and candidates to adhere to certain standards of behaviour, specifically during the campaigning period in the run-up to the local government elections on 1 November.
Mbulelo Magwala, EEF Southern Cape regional secretary, confirmed on Tuesday 5 October that the party did not sign the code of conduct.
He said they received instructions from the EFF head office in this regard, and that the leadership did not provide reasons.
Nationally the EFF refused to sign, but Magwala stressed that the EFF will adhere to the election rules as stated in the Electoral Act.
Trevor Davids, IEC Western Cape spokesperson, told George Herald that all contesting parties are bound by the Electoral Code of Conduct. The public pledge is thus ceremonial.
In the Western Cape, 94 political parties will contest the election. In George, 20 parties and one independent candidate will participate. In George there are 266 proportional (PR) candidates and 406 ward candidates.
Members of political parties attended the IEC meeting, but the EFF member (left) did not sign the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Application for special votes closed on Monday 4 October.
Hendrik Ingo confirmed that he is standing as an independent candidate in George.
He is currently the DA ward councillor for Ward 6 (Rosemoor and Protea Park).
The DA did not renominate him as candidate and he is also not in an electable position on the DA PR list.
He said members of the community asked him to stand as an independent candidate. "They know what I have been doing the past eight years."
He believes there are still a lot of unfinished tasks in the ward that need his attention.
Members of local political parties contesting the election on 1 November attended the IEC meeting. Photos: Eugene Gunning
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