The African National Congress (ANC) assured on Friday that its integrity committee followed a thorough interview and vetting process for all candidates selected to stand in the national and provincial legislative houses.

Political parties have until 17h00 on Friday to submit their lists to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), as one of the requirements for parties who want to contest the elections.

The ANC says its public representative candidate list reflects the deployment of individuals that have the right skills set, integrity, experience and capabilities to serve in provincial and national government.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party was committed to electing leaders within the framework provided by its policy document, "Through the Eye of a Needle?", which is supposed to help the ANC strengthen the ethics of its members, particularly those deployed in the public sector.

She noted that after an elaborate process that combined selection and election, the ANC list for Parliament and the nine provincial legislatures can be characterised as a “mosaic of culture, gender, geography and skill”.

She said the list was representative of the non-racial, non-sexist promise of the South Africa Constitution and signalled a growing and significant intergenerational mix with young leaders stepping into the national body.

“…and of course this is something we are feeling very confident and excited about. It is our conviction that this process demonstrates the ANC’s position as the only political party capable and intentional about both descriptive and substantive representation, inclusion and diversity in our outlook on governance and matters of leadership,” she said.

Bhengu-Motsiri revealed that 2 457 candidates were submitted to the IEC for National Parliament.  Thirty-one people declined their nominations.

“284 candidates were interviewed by the Electoral Committee. On the final lists submitted: 52.5% are women, we have increased youth representation to 17%, the list has ensured the deliberate inclusion of a diversity of sectors including persons with disabilities, traditional leaders, alliance partners and LGBTQI+ persons,” she revealed.

She said to qualify, candidates preferably possessed post-matric qualifications or demonstrated capacity, experience, education, or expertise conducive to making constructive contributions within the relevant legislature or executive.

Moreover, candidates were mandated to complete the four OR Tambo Leadership School online modules, she added.

All candidates agreed to subject themselves to lifestyle audits, have not been charged in a court of law, nor have there been adverse findings against them from the ANC disciplinary process nor by the ANC integrity commission, she highlighted.

“Guided by the party’s policies, our commitment to unity and renewal, and other considerations, the ANC’s MPs and provincial legislatures shoulder the vital responsibility of giving substance to our policy positions as well as their roles defined in the Constitution. We expect that our candidates will be aligned to the ANC's manifesto,” she said.

Bhengu-Motsiri noted that in August 2023, informed by the adopted candidate selection guidelines, the ANC announced the commencement of its candidate selection process which, she said, entailed the nomination and selection of candidates who would serve as public representatives at national and provincial level under the ANC’s banner.

This process has been managed by the electoral committee led by party stalwart Kgalema Motlanthe.