The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said on Thursday it will recommend to the National Assembly Dhaya Pillay, Mosotho Moepya and Joyce Pitso to serve as commissioners in the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The recommendations are due to three vacancies that will arise on November 4, as the term of office expires for IEC chairperson Moepya, IEC commissioner Pillay and IEC commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku.

Following a process prescribed by the Electoral Commission Act, the panel recommended eight candidates for the committee’s consideration, after which three final names were selected to go to the National Assembly, said committee chairperson Mosa Chabane.

Chabane said his committee is convinced that the recommended candidates have the skills, experience and capacity to improve the IEC and ensure it delivers the mandate for the organisation.

“It is important to note that all the candidates met the required standards. However, the committee had to recommend three candidates to the National Assembly for the appointments,” he explained.

He said the committee deliberations were guided by the interviews of all candidates, the report presented to it by the Chief Justice, and the previous work of the commission.

Chabane stated that the committee acknowledged that the responsibilities of the commission required experienced and capable individuals, also noting experience, leadership, technical competency and stability and cohesion of the commission.

He said in making its decision the committee also looked at gender representativity and racial representativity.

The committee further raised concerns regarding the representation of other categories, particularly young people and persons with disabilities, he added.