Former South African president Jacob Zuma has until end of day Tuesday to lodge an appeal with the Electoral Court against the decision by the country’s electoral body to bar him from contesting in next month’s general elections.
The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) last week barred Zuma, 81, from taking part in the May 29 national and provisional polls, citing that the country’s constitution precludes him from contesting the election.
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said late Monday that the electoral body’s decision to remove the former president from the Umkhonto weSizwe party’s candidate list was informed by the country’s constitution that disqualifies any person convicted of an offense and sentenced for more than 12 months from contesting in an election.
Zuma received a 15-month sentence in June 2021 in a contempt of court case that triggered widespread violence in two provinces the following month.
“The commission could only act within the confines of the law and the constitution,” Moepya said.
He said the IEC had written to candidates and political parties to advise them of its determinations.
“As required, any objector, party or candidate aggrieved by the decision of the commission may appeal the decisions with the Electoral Court by the 2nd of April 2024,” he said.
The Electoral Court has until April 9 to hear any challenges to the IEC’s decision, with the commission expected to publish its final candidate lists a day later.
JN/APA