Elections: Distribution of food parcels during campaign condemned

Elections: Distribution of food parcels during campaign condemned

The African People First (APF) says it strongly condemns the practice of political parties distributing food parcels during election campaigns, calling it is a tactic that preys upon the vulnerable in society.

Party president Muzi Hlengwa said the distribution of food parcels amounts to a form of bribery, designed to manipulate voters and coerce them into supporting specific parties.

“This exploitative tactic preys upon the vulnerable conditions of our African populace, constituting a gross distortion of democratic principles. Such actions also undermine the integrity of the electoral process and compromise the freedom of choice that is fundamental to democracy,” he said.

Distribution of food parcels perceived as vote buying

In 2013, the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) conducted a research report, which revealed that voters, particularly in poor communities, perceive the handing out of food parcels during election campaigns as vote buying.

Hlengwa said the practice was nothing short of an electoral malpractice and it should be condemned.

“It has come to our attention that in some instances, individuals are required to provide evidence of voting for a particular party before receiving these food parcels or financial incentives. This coercive behaviour is nothing short of electoral malpractice and must be unequivocally condemned,” he said.

The party president said they were looking into approaching the courts, seeking an order to criminalise the distribution of food parcels by political parties during election periods.

Call for the courts to intervene

“We call upon the courts to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency in our electoral processes by prohibiting the use of food vouchers or any other material inducements by political parties during election campaigns,” he said.

This is as the Patriotic Alliance (PA) has slammed claims it bought votes by distributing food parcels ahead of a by-election in George on February 14.

The party won ward 8, which previously belonged to the DA with 1 272 votes.

PA spokesperson Steve Motale said the claims were an “insult” to voters of the ward.

“The fact that the DA can attribute ward 8 residents endorsement of the PA to food parcels is an insult to the residents who merely exercised their democratic right to express their wish. This is sour grapes from the DA who are refusing to accept defeat and reality that they were overwhelmingly rejected by ward 8 residents,” he said.

The IEC said if it is alleged that there is an infringement of the law during the election period, a complainant can either approach the Electoral Court or a criminal case can be opened with the police.

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