The Cape Independence Party’s bid for the 2024 elections recently hit a bit of a snag. With aspirations as high as Table Mountain, they ended up collecting signatures that wouldn’t even fill a kiddie pool.
Cape Independence Party fails to collect 7 000 signatures
The Cape Independence Party, gunning for a grand exit from South Africa, ended up with a signature collection drive that barely got off the ground.
The party managed to gather only 200 signatures, far below the 7 000 required for placement on the Western Cape ballot.
In response to the whimpering turnout, the ‘Capexit‘ movement rallied supporters to comment on a petition aimed at overturning the IEC’s amended policy.
“The IEC has put new regulations in place making it extremely difficult for parties not yet represented in National/Provincial Parliament to participate in the 2024 Elections. This new law brings into question South Africans’ democratic right to vote, freely and fairly, for an officially registered political party of their choice,” the movement said.
IEC regulates independent candidates with new rule
The IEC’s recent regulation changes have introduced stringent requirements for parties wishing to participate in elections.
Unrepresented parties now need to hustle hard for 7 000 signatures to get a spot on the Western Cape ballot and an eye-watering 13 000 for the national scene.
This adjustment aligns the signature requirements for unrepresented political parties with those for represented parties, eliminating the previously lower threshold for independent candidates.
The court’s decision to remove the high signature requirement for independents, deemed appropriate at 1 000, follows legal action by the One SA Movement.
What is Cape Independence Party’s election manifesto?
The Cape Independence Party, or Capexit, outlines a vision for the Western Cape’s autonomy or complete independence from the Republic of South Africa.
The party, born in 2007 and officially hitting the political scene in 2008, dreams of a break-up with South Africa to end all break-ups. They’re not just looking for a little space; they want full-blown independence, envisioning a Cape Republic with the economic swagger of Singapore and the democratic vibe of Switzerland.
Their manifesto is a mix of ambition, aspiration, and a hefty dose of “let’s turn this ship around.” They talk about shaking off economic oppression and bringing in a new era of prosperity, all with the charm of a Cape Doctor breeze but the impact of a southeasterly gale.
This campaign hiccup, however, puts their grand plans in a bit of a bind.