“South Africa’s Electoral Body Fires Official for Candidate List Leak”

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"South Africa's Electoral Body Fires Official for Candidate List Leak"

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South Africa’s electoral body has dismissed an official accused of leaking the electoral candidate lists of two major political parties.

Investigations revealed that the employee had downloaded the candidate lists of several political parties, according to Sy Mamabolo, the Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday.

Last Friday, the candidate lists of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and ex-President Jacob Zuma’s newly-formed party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) were leaked on social media shortly after the parties submitted them to the IEC.

The leak prompted a strong reaction from the MK party, which has threatened legal action against the electoral body.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed satisfaction with the IEC’s explanation on the leak on Sunday, stating that he has “confidence in the IEC’s ability to deal with all matters related to elections.”

Mr. Mamabolo stated that a forensic analysis is underway to determine the ex-employee’s motive, but maintains that the incident does not undermine the IEC’s credibility in organizing the country’s upcoming May elections.