Admin
26 Jan, 2019
Poor service delivery is not the IEC’s problem
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) notes with concern that many voting stations across the country have fallen victim to protest action and violence. It is unforgivable to endanger the lives of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) personnel and to destroy or damage property. Also, the country can simply not tolerate a situation where our democratic processes are held at ransom, because of people’s frustration and anger with the ruling party. We urge South Africans to not get riled up to the point of violence, over the ruling party’s failures. It is not the IEC’s role to deal with these issues. Although the reasons for our people’s actions are understood, they must understand that their very power rests with registering and voting. The UDM calls on all South Africans to punish the ruling party where it hurts most; at the ballot box. Leave the IEC alone to do its job. If you are unhappy with service delivery in your area, vote wisely and do not vote for a party that has proved its incompetence and don’t care attitude. Issued by: Mr Bongani Msomi UDM Secretary General
Admin
24 May, 2018
UDM’s Thandi Nontenja on Mtubatuba by-elections: voter registration ahead of by-elections is a recipe for disaster as the results proved
Mr Sy Mamabolo Chief Electoral Officer Independent Electoral Commission Private Bag X112 Centurion, 0046 Dear Mr Mamabolo MTUBATUBA BY-ELECTIONS: VOTER REGISTRATION AHEAD OF BY-ELECTIONS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER AS THE RESULTS PROVED The United Democratic Movement (UDM) hopes that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is happy and it appreciates the current state of affairs in the Mtubatuba Municipality following our continuous warnings against the registration of voters when there are by-elections. We warned that such registration might 1) have a negative impact, that 2) the results might not be accurate and that 3) there might be loopholes for the manipulation of the voters’ roll. The UDM has, for time immemorial, warned at the National Party Liaison Committee meetings that this practice must be stopped. Unfortunately, the IEC is hellbent in continuing on doing this. What happened in Mkhanyakude District during the by-elections in Ward 4 in the Mtubatuba Municipality, where it was found that some voters who are not residents in that particular ward – and were residents of adjacent wards – who voted. This could have been prevented if the IEC had listened to the UDM’s counsel. The UDM hopes that the IEC will now take our position on this matter seriously. The IEC is expected to be responsive and listen to the voice of political parties as they are important role players in the electoral process. The results in the by-elections of Ward 4 have been compromised and it cannot be credible. Yours in nation building Mrs Thandi Nontenja UDM Representative on the National Party Liaison Committee thandi@udm.org.za
Admin
06 Mar, 2018
#AddressTheVotersRoll – #UDMYV says SA youth must register and take their right to vote seriously!
The UDM Youth Vanguard (UDMYV) encourages the youth of South Africa to register in their numbers on the 10th and 11th of March 2018 and to take the determined step to vote in the 2019 National and Provincial Elections. Those who have already registered, must make time to ensure that their names and correct physical addresses appear on the voters roll. Go to the IEC’s website to check your information on the voters roll or SMS your ID Number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS). The UDMYV believes that young South Africans have an obligation to register and to vote. For, if you decline to register and/or boycott the vote, it means you have given away your right to influence the course the country takes in the five years after 2019. Snubbing registration and refusing to vote is not rebellion against the African National Congress (ANC) government; it is in fact giving the very same ANC government permission to continue looting state resources that should be spent on youth advancement, skills development and job creation for young South Africans. We therefore call on our fellow young country men and women, to register in your millions and in 2019, choose to vote for leaders who are not corrupt, racist, criminals who run our country like thieves dressed in saintly skins. We must vote for leaders who will create opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, jobs as well as enabling youth to become wealth creators in their communities. The UDMYV has placed it faith in the United Democratic Movement, as the party which espouses these ideals, and which has the right people for the job; a party that is conscious of the plight of young South Africans and creates space for us to make our voices heard to determine our own future. Issued by: Mr Yongama Zigebe UDM Youth Vanguard Gauteng, Provincial Secretary secretarygp@udmyv.co.za or yludwe@yahoo.com Or for more information contact: Mr Andile Jabavu UDM Youth Vanguard Gauteng, Provincial Chairperson chairpersongp@udmyv.co.za Mr Katleho Mothamaha UDM Youth Vanguard Gauteng, Provincial Public Liaison Officer plo@udmyv.co.za
