Cape Town – The Electoral Commission (IEC) says it is awaiting clarification on the Electoral Court’s decision to include Jacob Zuma on the ballot papers, despite initially upholding an objection to his candidature.
The IEC confirmed on Tuesday that the former president will be the face of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in the upcoming elections.
“For the parties that we have asked about, we can confirm that the face of the party on the ballot paper in respect of MK party will be that of Mr Jacob Zuma because the party has given us a notice that it has changed its leadership structure. Mr [Jabulani] Khumalo is no longer the party leader, Mr Zuma is the party leader,” Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Sheburi, said.
“We can confirm that the face that will be on the ballot for the MK Party is Jacob Zuma, and is no longer Jabulani Khumalo as the party confirmed to the commission” – Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/xFvMvjVv1S
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 16, 2024
While the court has not provided a reason for its judgment, the IEC has appealed the order to the Constitutional Court.
According to EWN, The Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, highlighted the broader implications of the decision and raised questions about the commission’s authority and potential conflicts of interest.
“Did the commission go beyond its scope of authority in invoking Section 47 1E? We have no clarity as a country on this issue. Did Commissioner love pre-judge the issue to the extent that she ought to have recused herself? We don’t know. Whether the statement she made in response to a media question did in fact constitute prejudging the issue. Does remission of sentence amount to the reduction of sentence as ordered by the court of law? We don’t know,” the report quoted Mamabolo as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
