-
File Image: Political parties seen on screen.
The process of filling three vacant IEC Commissioner positions is well underway. The deadline for submissions was Friday, the 6th of June, and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya will convene a panel to review the nominations and recommend candidates to the president for appointment.
The president appoints members of the Commission for a term of seven years, with one of the vacant positions having to be filled by a Judge of the High Court. This process comes at a crucial time ahead of the Local Government Elections next year.
The Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager at the Organisation for Undoing Tax Abuse, Rachel Fisher, says several people have submitted their applications, hoping to be selected to fill three crucial vacant IEC Commissioner Positions.
“An IEC Commissioner has the important task of administering the country’s elections, as well as directing operations of the IEC. The focus really gets turned onto the IEC commissioners during election time. This could either be the National, Provincial or the Local Government Elections that will be taking place next year. They will need to make sure that the elections are free and fair, declare the results and look into creating public awareness. However, it doesn’t end there. Commissioners are also responsible for managing political party funding, the register, declarations and oversee direct electoral declarations,” says Fisher.
Fisher, elaborating on what is required of a Commissioner of the IEC and what pre-requites does one need to have if they so desire to be appointed a Commissioner of such a crucial Chapter Nine Institution, says, “The crucial requirements for the candidates is impartiality, independence and act with integrity. We don’t want people that have not held any political affiliations or have not held high office. They must also have tertiary qualifications. It’s always an added advantage. They must also have a demonstrable understanding of the framework of constitutional democracy in South Africa.”
She says those who will fill the position will have their work cut for them, adding that they will have to navigate a difficult terrain, often catching stray bullets from political parties.
“So, this person and three commissioners then must be able to understand the context and deal with the consequences and fall out, learn the lessons from the NPE last year. The Office of the Chief Justice will have to convene a panel to review the nominations and shortlist candidates for interviews. After that, the panel will interview shortlisted candidates and recommend a suitable candidate to the National Assembly for consideration, lawmakers will then consider the report and recommend candidates to the President for appointment,” she adds.
