By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Constitutional Court has issued a directive that should the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) nor its leader Jacob Zuma wish to oppose the Electoral Commission’s urgent bid to appeal against the Electoral Court order, they should file answering affidavits by Thursday.
This is in relation to the application lodged by the IEC to appeal the judgement of the Electoral Court that Zuma can stand as a candidate in the elections.
“The Deputy Chief Justice has issued the following directions: respondents that are opposing the application must file answering affidavits on or before Thursday, April 25. Further directions may be issued,” read the directions of the court.
IEC believes that taking the case to the Constitutional Court will assist in providing clarity on the interpretation of section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution. This law was at the centre of the case between the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party and the IEC.
The MK party challenged the interpretation of section 47(1)(e), which sets the conditions under which a convicted citizen may not take public office.
The Electoral Court ruled that Zuma would remain on the parliamentary list, setting aside the commission’s decision to uphold an objection against the former president’s participation.
Since then, the full judgment has still not been issued by the Electoral Court to outline the reasoning behind the decision.
Many observers have questioned the reasoning behind the Electoral Court’s ruling on Zuma’s eligibility to stand for public office.
The IEC issued a statement urging the court to release its judgment to reveal how it made its decision.
The final lists of candidates on the IEC website feature Zuma as the first candidate of the MK party, which paves the way for his return to public office.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the IEC hosted a ceremony where political parties and independent candidates contesting in Gauteng signed the Electoral Code of Conduct.
By signing the code of conduct, participants agree to speak out against political violence and threats and promote conditions of free and fair elections.
Gauteng Provincial Electoral Officer, Thabo Masemola, said Gauteng accounts for the highest number of registered voters, currently at 6.5 million.
“As we speak, delivery electoral materials to the provincial warehouse have commenced and will be concluded within the reasonable timelines.”
Masemola said the certified voters roll stands at 27.4 million.
“South Africa has never seen this level of registration since the voters roll was established in 1999.”
Masemola confirmed that 43 political parties and two independent candidates will be contesting for the provincial legislature.