The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has lodged an urgent and direct appeal to the Constitutional Court to challenge the Electoral Court judgment that set aside its decision to bar former President Jacob Zuma from contesting this year’s elections.
This after the IEC disqualified Zuma from the candidate list of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK) for a parliamentary seat.
MK reinstated Zuma as their presidential candidate following Tuesday’s judgement.
The IEC said it wants clarity on the Electoral Court judgment.
“The Commission believes there is substantial public interest in providing certainty on the proper interpretation of section 47(1)(e) and its interplay with the powers of the Commission to adjudicate objections to candidates. Such clarity is important in the present matter because of a live issue but also for future elections.
“It is furthermore important that such legal clarification is obtained from the highest court in the land which has constitutional-matter jurisdiction. Hence, a direct appeal to the Constitutional Court,” read a statement from the IEC.
Addressing his supporters outside the High Court in Johannesburg, Zuma lambasted the IEC, accusing it of meddling in politics.
“Those who make decisions on who can stand for elections must be neutral and fair.
“I have never committed a crime, all this time, I have appeared in court, and no one has ever found me guilty of a crime.
“Someone who steals money and hides it, the IEC says nothing about him. The IEC goes after me. Where does the IEC get involved in politics? Because they see my name, they object to my candidacy,” said Zuma.
The IEC has however denied the allegations.
“The Commission wishes to emphasise that this appeal is not intended to involve itself in the political field of play, it is rather to ensure free and fair elections by ensuring that applicable constitutional provisions relating to elections are clearly understood by all role-players and applied evenly.
“We therefore wish for the matter to be determined before the date of the election,” added the IEC in the statement.
Meanwhile, the MK is calling for an immediate resignation of IEC Commissioner, Janet Love.
The party accused her of been biased and alleges that she cannot be “trusted to oversee nor be involved in the forthcoming elections.”
“The basis of our legitimate call for her removal is due to her obnoxious behaviour on 24 January 2024, before an objection was lodged regarding the eligibility of President Zuma to participate in the parliamentary elections.
“Janet Love, in an unprecedented move, publicly declared nationally that President Zuma would not be eligible and couldn’t be included in the MK Party’s parliamentary candidate list,” said the party in a statement.
