Fired IEC employee had access to the entire system
The IEC has shared that the employee fired for leaking ANC and MK Party candidates’ lists also had access to much more.
Electoral Commission CEO Sy Mamabolo addresses the termination of an IEC employee for leaking ANC and MK Party candidates’ lists before authorisation.
The lists of the candidates were released and circulated online by the employee.
IEC ENTIRE SYSTEM LEAKED
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has fired an employee following a preliminary investigation into the unauthorized distribution of ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe Party 2024 election candidate lists over the weekend.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the IEC was unhappy about the embarrassing breach as it remains under spotlight with the May polls drawing nearer.
According to the Sowetan Live Mamabolo said the employee had accessed the computer system and reports but was not authorised to distribute information before the lists were officially published by the commission. He said the internal investigation traced the employee through IT methodology and followed a digital footprint trail.
“While this incident is regrettable, our actions demonstrate our commitment to transparency and accountability. The Electoral Commission maintains the highest level of integrity, ethics and professionalism. Any behaviour that violates our code of conduct or undermines the credibility of the organisation cannot be tolerated,” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo said the employee admitted responsibility to the commission for the leak and for downloading the lists. He said the employee’s computer was taken for further forensic analysis.
EMPLOYEE FIRED FOR LEAKING INFORMATION
The IEC fired an employee who leaked the MK Party and ANC candidate list before it was released.
Candidate lists of political parties were splashed all over social media raising the ire of both political parties.
In a statement released by the IEC, it has been indicated that the data likely originated from internal system-generated reports within the Electoral Commission.
Mamabolo told the news channel that the individual in question held a “relatively junior” position in the IEC.
Among measures the IEC will take to avoid similar leaks in future, he said the organisation will review and limit employee access to the commission’s reporting tools, reported by Newzroom Afrika.
“We want to review which category of employees have access to certain information but also to engage with staff throughout the country about how to handle internal information, especially as it pertains to the personal information of people.”