The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has expressed its displeasure at the appointment of Mosotho Moepya and Judge Dhaya Pillay to serve as commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), calling the decision an “irrational majoritarian resolution” of the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Pillay, Moepya and Joyce Pitso to serve as commissioners for seven years.

Moepya and Pitso will serve as full-time members, while Pillay will serve part-time.

The EFF pointed out that despite Chief Justice Mandisa Maya’s report identifying shortcomings in the candidates, Parliament chose to endorse them.

The party also expressed concerns with the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs’ report on the filling of vacancies in the IEC.

Last month, the committee announced its intentions of recommending to the National Assembly Pillay, Moepya and Pitso serve as commissioners, upon the term of office for IEC chairperson Moepya, IEC commissioner Pillay and IEC commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku expiring.

The EFF explained that the panel chaired by Maya raised specific concerns about Moepya, stating that he appeared defensive, unwilling to acknowledge weaknesses within the IEC, and dismissive of suggestions to improve the commission’s systems.

The party further believes that he lacks the necessary “soft skills of empathy and sensitivity required of a leader”, and that he has failed to present credible ideas on how to address institutional weaknesses, including the growing voter apathy in the country.

The EFF further expressed dissatisfaction with her views on diversity.

“This decision driven by the African National Congress (ANC) and its Government of National Unity (GNU) partners, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), disregards the findings and recommendations of the panel chaired by chief justice Mandisa Maya, which raised serious concerns about the competence, temperament and suitability of Mosotho Moepya and Judge Pillay to serve in the IEC,” the party said.

The EFF said the ANC, DA and the IFP ignored “highly competent” and recommended candidates such as Granville Abrahams and instead opted for “individuals whose performance and leadership have already raised questions about the IEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections”.

“Parliament’s decision to overlook the chief justice’s report confirms that the GNU’s so-called unity is not about protecting democracy but about preserving political power through the capture of independent institutions,” The EFF said.

It claimed that the appointments were part of a “deliberate strategy” by the “ruling elite” to weaken the independence of the IEC and manipulate electoral outcomes.