MEDIA RELEASE
2024-05-07

SUMMARY: The Labour Party of South Africa (Labour Party) has obtained a comprehensive report from a professor in Information Technology (IT), confirming that the online candidate nomination system of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) is “not fit for purpose”. The Labour Party who, along with 19 other parties are in the Constitutional Court of South Africa (ConCourt) tomorrow (8 May 2024), said that it would forward this report to the IEC so that the system can be improved as soon as possible.

The Labour Party has obtained a report* from an IT expert at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to analyse the problems it experienced using the IEC’s online portal during the week ending 8 March 2024. The report, written by Professor Rennie Naidoo, focuses on the “fit for purpose of the online candidate nomination system (OCNS)” which all new parties were forced to use for these elections.

Prof Naidoo, who has an impressive CV showing his expertise in the field, first explains the relevant design concepts typical for such a system, before applying these concepts and evaluating the “fit for purpose” of the IEC’s system. Prof Naidoo then evaluates issues experienced with the IEC’s system in terms of user interface design issues, peak-time performance issues and alternative channels and contingency plans.

After analysing all these facets and factors, Prof Naidoo makes the following finding:

“Considering my opinions formulated herein and the challenges that the Labour Party (and other parties) experienced, the OCNS does not meet the standards expected of a system developed for managing a democratic country’s national election process.”

“As the Labour Party we feel vindicated that the Prof with his proven expertise and vast experience in this field, unequivocally confirms the problems we experienced with the IEC’s system”, said Labour Party Secretariat Krister J van Rensburg. “We will most definitely send this report to the IEC so that they can realise the faults in their system, and rectify these as soon as possible so that no other political party can face this prejudice again”, he concluded.

[The full report of Prof Rennie Naidoo with his CV annexed can be downloaded below.]

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*[More details regarding these legal cases can be found in previous media releases appearing on the Labour Party’s website, www.labourparty.org.za.]

For more information or to arrange interviews, please send a request to secretariat@labourparty.org.za. 

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The Labour Party is a social democratic party, very similar to labour parties in other countries. 

The Labour Party is non-racial and therefore it is a home for all progressive and likeminded organisations, including trade unions and civil society organisations that share our values and ethos. 

The Labour Party’s main campaign slogan is: “The power is in your hands”, emphasising the connection to work being done with one’s hands, but also the realisation that voters can bring change by what they do and how they vote. 

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• Jobs for all, as we believe that there is more than enough work for everybody in South Africa.
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• Assurance that the rich mineral and natural resources of South Africa are used to empower South Africans in the broadest possible sense.
• Addressing youth unemployment by a conscription programme for unemployed youth.
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