The Electoral Commission (IEC) has rejected Jacob Zuma’s nomination for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections following an objection based on his 2021 conviction.
Jacob Zuma can’t stand for election, IEC rules
The Electoral Commission’s (IEC) decision to disqualify Former President Jacob Zuma from the upcoming elections hinges on the constitutional eligibility criteria for candidates.
According to sections 47 and 106 of the Constitution, qualifications for National Assembly membership exclude individuals with a conviction leading to more than 12 months of imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Zuma’s 15-month sentence for contempt of court in 2021 disqualifies him under these guidelines.
The IEC’s decision comes two days after the Electoral Court dismissed the ANC’s bid to declare the registration of Zuma’s MK Party unlawful.
The IEC outlined its process for handling the 82 objections received against candidates from 21 political parties. Despite many objections to not following the prescribed format, the Commission reviewed them to ensure they met constitutional and legal standards.
This rigorous scrutiny led to the dismissal of objections against seven candidates, with only Zuma’s objection being upheld.
What options does Zuma have?
Zuma sent shockwaves reverberating across South Africa’s political sphere when, in December 2023, he formally endorsed the ANC’s breakaway party.
During a press conference held in Orlando East, Soweto, on the 62nd anniversary of Umkhonto Wesizwe. Zuma strongly criticised the ANC under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing it of straying from the values and vision of the party’s legendary founders.
He declared, “I cannot, and will not campaign for the ANC of Ramaphosa,” labelling the current ANC as a “proxy for white monopoly capital” and contrasting it sharply with the ANC of leaders like Luthuli, Tambo, and Mandela.
This statement, and several other utterances he made raised questions about his political ambitions and whether he might consider a presidential bid under the MK Party banner.
When asked about this, Zuma toyed around with a reporter, neither confirming nor denying speculation that he may use his position within the newly formed MK Party to rival the ANC at the polls in 2024.
Things became clear earlier in March when the MK Party’s nominee list was leaked, featuring the former president as its leading candidate for the upcoming general elections scheduled for 29 May 2024.
Unfortunately for Zuma and his MK Party cohort, as Chairperson Mosotho Moepya clarified on Thursday, the IEC has a crucial role in adhering strictly to the law and Constitution while evaluating objections.
With the decision communicated to all relevant parties, those dissatisfied, including Zuma, have until Tuesday, 2 April 2024, to appeal to the Electoral Court.
The IEC will confirm the parties’ final candidate lists on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.
