By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday announced that its nomination process, ahead of the National Elective Congress in December, has been postponed.
The party was due to begin branch meetings on Wednesday, where ANC branches could nominate their preferred candidates for the party’s top leadership as well as the national executive committee at the December conference.
But the deadline for the renewal of ANC branch membership was extended, resulting in a delay.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said on Wednesday: “We are expected to finalise the audit process this week. The treasurer general will receive the report by Friday. The report will then serve before the special NEC on Sunday. A special NEC must adopt the final audited membership. When this is done, it constitutes credentials of the national conference.”
“A more comprehensive briefing to provide an update on the nomination processes and other relevant details on the upcoming 55th National Elective Conference will be convened soon after the special NEC (meeting),” said Mabe.
The start of the nomination process will trigger branch general meetings across the country. It is here that the branches will decide who their preferred candidates are ahead of the National Elective Congress.
The postponement of the nomination process comes as the ANC is yet to complete its provincial elective conferences in the Free State and the Western Cape.
Some branches in Mangaung, Free State, have even threatened to interdict the ANC’s December conference should the province fail to hold its own by the end of September.
Branch members accused the interim provincial conference (IPC) of “frustrating and delaying” BBGMs (branch biennial general meetings) ahead of the crucial conferences.