ANC loses bid to remove MK Party from ballot
The Electoral Court has dismissed the ANC's application challenging the registration of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
The court handed down judgment in the matter between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Tuesday.
Arguments were heard in the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein last week,where the ANC’s legal counsel, Advocate Tshidiso Ramogale, told the court that there could be serious implications for free and fair elections if the MK Party were allowed on the ballot.
The IEC's legal representative, Terry Motau, however warned the court that by ruling in favour of the ANC it would only further encourage parties not to follow due processes.
The MK Party's legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu, further argued that the ANC's explanation that it couldn’t appeal the IEC's decision because of the festive season is an "unintelligible thing".
In December former President Jacob Zuma announced his support for uMkhonto we Sizwe and has since become the face of the party.
Judge Leicester Adams said both the IEC and MK Party followed all due processes, leading to the registration of the party.
"The DCEO in registering MK complied with the requirements of section 15 of the Electoral Commission act, read with section 61. The regulations in annexture 1 therefore find that there is nothing unlawful about the registration of the MK by the DCEO on September 2023", he said.
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