By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Alaister Russell.
Former president and chairperson of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) Electoral Committee Kgalema Motlanthe said on Thursday that as the party heads towards its fifty-fifth national elective conference, moral standards and leaders in good standing are important.
Motlanthe was speaking at the official announcement of the ANC’s nomination process and rules for the party’s 55th National Elective Conference, scheduled to take place in December.
Motlanthe said the public face of the ANC, must reflect values, non-racial and non-sexist, and represent diversity.
“It must have leadership and political capacity, track-record, public standing and integrity to lead the ANC.
“The ANC expects the highest ethical and moral standards from NEC leaders and any member may stand if they have been an active member for at least ten years, unless they have been found guilty of, or charged with unethical or immoral conduct, any serious crime, or corruption,” Motlanthe said.
He said the nomination process is expected to officially open on 7 September, until the results are declared at conference.
Motlanthe made it clear that the rules also state that no one may manipulate the outcome of nominations and elections by buying support, by paying or offering services, positions, other rewards to branches or delegates for their vote for a particular candidate.
“The full financial record of every campaign must be submitted to the Electoral Committee (EC) and the EC has the right to demand further particulars and to inspect bank statements of candidates, campaigns and campaign workers and to interview campaign organisers.
“The EC may order a full disclosure of all assets, properties, investments, donations and gifts of any member involved and this will require the full cooperation of the nominee and the EC may also open a criminal or civil case,” Motlanthe said.
Gender parity and the representation of marginalised groups will also apply when the national executive committee is nominated.
“We must strive to achieve an NEC with at least 25% of members being young people. At least 50% of nominees and elected members must be women and we must strive to represent the different national groups in our country,” Motlanthe added.
“Any member may stand for the NEC if they have been an active member for at least ten years, unless they are prohibited from standing by one of the rules which includes having been found guilty or charged with unethical or immoral conduct, or any serious crime, or corruption.
“The rules also apply to all members who are temporarily suspended, pending the outcome of a court case or disciplinary hearing, and to members on whose cases the Integrity Commission (IC) have completed and submitted a report and recommendation of suspension of membership, or stepping aside from leadership or public office.
“Behaving in a manner which can bring the ANC into disrepute (any campaigning or statements that may harm the reputation and good name of the ANC) will not be allowed.
All objections against candidates’ eligibility must reach the EC by October 15.
The EC will contact the candidate involved and give them the opportunity to respond, and if needed, the EC will investigate further or a hearing will be held.
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Video Courtesy of ENCA.