12 December 2007
The ANC Electoral Commission again calls on any Conference delegates with allegations that bribery or undue influence is being used to secure their vote for a particular candidate, to come forward and report the matter.
We have not received any formal complaints about such activities, in spite of the many allegations and rumours that have appeared in the media. The small number of complaints we have received have all been of an administrative nature and have been resolved or referred to the correct structures.
We would like to remind delegates and ANC supporters that the elections in Polokwane will be by secret ballot and that all delegates will be free to make their own choices. The elections will be managed by an independent agency of professional election administrators - The Elexions Agency. The Commission, which oversees and monitors the elections, will be expanded from the present twelve veterans to include a representative from each province and the Women's League and Youth League.
A code of conduct and rules for the elections will be adopted by Conference on the first day and delegates who make themselves guilty of misconduct will be dealt with by disciplinary structures.
We are confident that the systems are in place to ensure that the elections will be free and fair and that delegates will demonstrate integrity when performing the very serious responsibility of electing the next leadership of the ANC.
Issued by Electoral Commission Chairperson, Bertha Gxowa