Mashinini says he got IEC post on merit

Vuma Mashinini says a free and fair election is the responsibility of all those who live in South Africa.

Mashinini was addressing the media at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices in Centurion on Friday.

“I think the important thing for us and South Africans out there to understand is that the commission is a collective. I would not wish to personalise the appointment”.

He was appointed to the position in April and President Jacob Zuma made the announcement on Wednesday.

Mr Mashinini served as deputy chief electoral officer of the IEC from 1998 to 2001‚ when he was responsible for the establishment and administration of the national head office‚ all nine provincial electoral offices and approximately 350 municipal electoral offices. He has also served as a special advisor to the president. Mr Mashinini‚ according to a Sunday Times report‚ was considered a front-runner for the position before he was appointed.

After a report to this effect by the public protector, and one commissioned by national treasury, head of the commission Pansy Tlakula resigned last September.

Mashinini’s return to the IEC sparked outrage, mainly from opposition parties, questioning his links to Zuma. “It is a professional responsibility that I am comfortable with”.

Earlier, IEC vice chairperson Terry Tselane said political parties have a major responsibility to “excite people” to turn out at the elections and if they did not accept a result, to use the objection processes available.

“Regarding the IEC and its image, the commission is seized with preparations and ensuring that the commission restores its image”.