VOTING for the African National Congress’s national executive committee (NEC) had to restart on Wednesday after the name of at least one candidate was left off the ballot.
About 700 of the 3,977 branch delegates had already cast their vote when the misprint was discovered, according to an ANC staff member working at the conference.
The missing name was that of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
At least 220 candidates were on the ballot paper, in the race for a position on the powerful 80-member NEC — the party's highest decision-making body between conferences and general councils.
Several high-profile people declined nomination — most prominently Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who lost in the race for the party presidency to incumbent President Jacob Zuma. Others who refused included presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel, Northern Cape ANC chairman John Block and struggle stalwart Jay Naidoo.
Congress of South African Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa general secretary Irvin Jim and National Union of Mineworkers general secretary Frans Baleni did not accept nomination, and neither did Free State ANC chairman Ace Magashule.
A branch delegate from North West said on Wednesday that voting for the 80 committee members took about 30 minutes to complete.
According to the ANC’s election rules, if a delegate votes for more than 80 names, that ballot is considered spoiled. However, if a delegate votes for fewer than 80 candidates the ballot is still be valid.
ANC spokesman Keith Khoza was not available for comment.
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