Legal counsel argues that IEC has jurisdiction to uphold objections

Counsel for the Electoral Commission (IEC) has argued that it is within its jurisdiction to uphold objections premised on Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution. Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (SC) argued that the Electoral Act gives the IEC such powers.

He is representing the Commission at the Electoral Court in the matter in which the uMkhonto weSizwe Party is challenging former President Jacob Zuma’s disqualification from standing for public office as prescribed in Section 47.

The party previously argued that the IEC does not have the authority to invoke the Section as it fails to observe the separation of powers principle.

“It is true that other people will lose their status as the National Assembly, you may be an unrehabilitated insolvent two years after you assumed your position but then the National Assembly will deal with that. There is no argument here about the exclusive power of the Electoral Commission.

The narrow argument, which is the Commission has the power to uphold objections in terms of Section 47 of the constitution. The fact that at a certain stage, a person may lose eligibility, that obviously will be dealt with by the National Assembly but at the electoral stage, the screening is done by the Electoral Commission.

Source: eNCA

In other news –  Actor Jonathan Majors avoids jail after domestic violence conviction

Jonathan Majors, a fast-rising Hollywood star before domestic violence charges derailed his career, avoided jail and was sentenced to one year of domestic-violence counseling on Monday after being found guilty of attacking his former girlfriend.

Majors had faced up to one year in jail, but prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s office recommended the counseling. He must also continue therapy and stay away from Jabbari. Read more