IEC Under Fire Over Alleged Use of ANC Colours in Registration Campaign
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is facing sharp criticism over its political neutrality following accusations that its latest voter registration campaign prominently features the colour palette of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
ActionSA Raises Neutrality Concerns
The accusation was spearheaded by ActionSA’s Parliamentary Leader, Athol Trollip, who publicly challenged the commission’s choice of branding. Trollip pointed out that the IEC’s established, trademark institutional colours are blue and white, making the sudden shift to colours associated with the ANC highly suspect.
“The IEC trademark colours are blue and white, but now they are using ANC colours to encourage registration. We see you, IEC,” Trollip stated.
Trollip further warned that such actions could severely damage the institution’s credibility at a time when public and voter trust in the IEC is already on the decline.
A History of “Party-Colour” Controversies
Complaints regarding independent state organs and government departments using ANC branding in taxpayer-funded marketing are a recurring issue in South African politics. Opposition parties have long argued that this practice blurs the line between state and party, creating an unfair electoral advantage.
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2014 Freedom Front Plus Complaint: The FF Plus formally objected to a Gauteng Provincial Government billboard campaign that utilized ANC colours. The party revealed the campaign cost taxpayers over R2 million per month, arguing it amounted to free advertising for the ruling party and threatened the foundation of a free and fair election.
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Democratic Alliance (DA) Objections: The DA has similarly lodged formal complaints with both the Public Protector and the IEC in the past regarding large-scale public sector advertising campaigns that mirror the ANC’s color scheme.
Current Status
Because the IEC is constitutionally mandated to remain entirely independent and unbiased, the allegations strike at the core of its operational integrity.
The Electoral Commission was reached out to for a statement regarding Trollip’s allegations; however, the commission did not provide a response by the time of publication.
