The Alliance of Democrats (AD) is likely to underperform at the forth coming Local Government elections which are due on September 29 this year.This is the view of former AD Spokesperson Mr. Thuso Litjobo speaking with the Agency on Thursday.

Mr. Litjobo said since being elected into power at the Leqele party’s elective conference, the new National Executive Committee (NEC) has not been active adding that it seems that it is taking the Local Government elections lightly. He therefore predicted the below par performance if things stay the same.

‘I foresee AD getting below 50 percent popular votes at the Local Government elections if things do not change soon’ he opined.

Mr. Litjobo said the party has also failed to nominate candidates in many Electoral Divisions (EDs) in all the 80 constituencies saying that on its own is already a failure. Speaking about the circular which has been released by the NEC which bars members from visiting branches and constituencies in preparation for the Local Government elections, he rebuked the NEC, saying that is not going to be practicable.

Mr. Litjobo said if the NEC does not want its members to hold rallies, people with not AD regalia will still be going out to various activities like funerals, weddings, having braais and that the party would not be able to discipline such people since they will not be identifying themselves as AD members. He also felt that the NEC should instead be happy and satisfied to see its members making the party visible in the constituencies to urge possible voters to vote for the party ahead of the Local Government elections, instead of threatening them.

The former AD Spokesperson said the circular shows that there is a disciplinary committee that will deal with unruly members within the party. He said instead, the NEC should have enlisted people who will be going to unite the party members and as well as bring peace since after every elective conference, factions are bound to exist, saying he was surprised that there is no such.

When approached for comment AD Spokesperson Mr. Litaba Taaibosch said AD has candidates in all the 80 constituencies even though he was unable to give the number of the candidates. Speaking about the circular, he said it was meant to control unruly members who without any authority from the NEC, visit branches and constituencies, saying that should stop. He said the party was aware that party founder Dr. Monyane Moleleki was going around.