The Electoral Commission of South Africa has accused Julius Malema of spreading misleading claims about the integrity of South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial elections.
The commission’s response follows remarks made by Malema during a recent podcast, where he alleged that votes cast for the Economic Freedom Fighters at Mponegele Primary School in Polokwane, Limpopo, were incorrectly allocated to the ANC.
In a strongly worded media statement, the IEC said it was concerned about what it described as “sustained, yet inaccurate” statements regarding the management and credibility of the elections.
“The electoral commission is particularly concerned by the persistent false statements by political party leaders, which have the potential to undermine public confidence in the integrity of the impending elections of municipal councils,” the commission said.
The IEC specifically rejected Malema’s allegation that votes at his voting station had been swapped in favour of the ANC.
“The allegation is not correct. Results slips in the hands of the commission indicate that the Mponegele Primary School vote count is the same as those captured on the commission’s results system,” the IEC stated.
According to the commission, South Africa’s election results process is built on transparency, strict safeguards, and multiple verification systems designed to protect the integrity of the outcome.
The IEC stressed that results slips completed at voting stations remain the “ultimate record” of the will of voters within each voting district.
Among the safeguards highlighted by the commission are vote counting in the presence of party agents and observers, the signing of results slips by party representatives, a double-blind electronic capturing system, independent audits, and opportunities for political parties to inspect the system.
The commission also noted that political parties and media organisations are allowed to photograph and broadcast results slips immediately after completion, while voting station results are publicly available through Results Operating Centres.
Despite dismissing the EFF’s claims, the IEC confirmed that senior officials are scheduled to meet with the party’s leadership on May 21 to discuss election readiness and address any concerns relating to the electoral process.
The commission said it remains committed to engaging with all political parties through political liaison committees in an effort to strengthen public confidence in South Africa’s electoral democracy.
