DUP boycotts 2024 general elections
Sekhukhune
The Democratic Union Party (DUP) said it has resolved not to partake the 2024 National and Provincial elections, scheduled for 29 May 2024. The party is protesting against alleged irregularities surrounding the constitutionality of the Electoral Act.
DUP was recently formed in Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) and set to take part in the upcoming general elections.
DUP President, Tonic Manchidi, said the party believes that taking part in irregular elections will result in an election of an illegal government.
“Unconstitutionality of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, the DUP is adamant that parts of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 as amended by Electoral Laws Amendment Act of 2023 are inconsistent with the spirit of the constitution. Our argument amongst others is that the Act understate the right to vote to the extent that it does not provide mechanism and systems to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness by public representatives to voters,” explained Manchidi.
He said the organization further understands that the Electoral Act does not provide mechanism and procedure to ensure voters can cancel the contractual relationship they have with elected public representatives by recalling them.
“The DUP has on 8February 2024, wrote to the State President to address the unconstitutionality of the Act. As usual, President Cyril Ramaphosa ignored our good faith and the DUP has approached the Constitutional Court on an urgent basis to declare the Act unconstitutional. Court papers have been served on 18 March 2024 and we await a court date,” he said.
Furthermore, Manchidi said the DUP has on its court papers challenged the conduct of the IEC in that the Electoral Commission is abdicating its constitutional and statutory duties under the Electoral Act by failing to honour its obligation pertaining to voter education.
“The DUP has decided to boycott this elections and pursue its court challenge to the end. The DUP has resolved to build the party and its structures to prepare for the upcoming by-elections and the Local Government Elections of 2026. We request our members to be vigilant at all material times and recruit more for the party,” he said.
