New CGA Election date confirmed. IEC to preside.
Following the chaos that erupted at the meeting on Saturday, forcing the postponement of the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) elections a new date has now been confirmed. CGA General Manager Mandla Radebe wrote to council members yesterday informing them that the poll would now take place on March 26, with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) called in to preside over what is expected to be another tense day at the Germiston Stadium.
"In order to salvage the reputation of the province and create credible, free and fair elections to take the federation forward, we have appointed the IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) to facilitate the elections," explained Radebe in an email transmission to members which was issued yesterday. It is believed that some council members had called for the IEC's involvement even before the weekend's dramatic events.
#TheTopRunner has learned that problems arose at the CGA AGM when those present uncovered that there were more ballots than voters. It is alleged that there were 123 ballot papers yet only 110 clubs were due to vote in the council sitting. Furthermore, sources have told #TheTopRunner that some of the ballots may not have been numbered, all of which led to calls for the entire process to be called off.
As a result the regional athletics federation will be paying closer attention to the qualifying criteria that allow members to vote this time around. "Only clubs in good standing will be allowed to attend or vote at the CGA Election session. Good Standing will be determined by the affiliation status for 2022 and number of permanent licenses taken. (Minimum permanent licenses per club is 25). No nomination will be allowed from the floor. No proxies will be allowed on the day of elections only present members will be allowed vote. Voting delegate confirmed on the credentials must produce proof of Identification on before voting," warned CGA.
CGA's administrative head also used the notice to admonish some members for their behaviour during the chaotic events on March 5. "We have also picked up that there was a deliberate intension by some members to disrupt the elections," said Radebe, describing the behaviour as unacceptable and unwarranted. Clubs must now submit their credentials of one (1) voting delegate per club on the club letterhead which must reach CGA office via email by no later than Friday, 18 March 2022. These credentials will be used as the voters roll, if a club has not submitted they will not be allowed to vote.