ANC files application to Electoral Court for IEC to reopen candidate registration system

The African National Congress (ANC) has filed its application to the Electoral Court to request that the candidate registration system be reopened so that the party can submit its lists.

In court papers, Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte has indicated that the party was not able to register candidates in 94 municipalities by the deadline of 23 August.

She says technical difficulties with the Independent Electoral Commission’s system when submitting their candidates are to blame.

The party says it has no other option but to approach the Electoral Court, as the IEC had rejected its request to extend the election timetable.

The United Democratic Movement has supported the ANC’s application as it experienced the same difficulties, whilst political parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA)  have threatened to oppose this application.

Discussion on possible reopening of candidate list process:

Earlier, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal revealed some of the wards that did not make the Independent Electoral Commission’s deadline to register candidates for the upcoming local government elections.

At least seen municipalities in KZN affected 

Most of the affected municipalities are in the Zululand District.

Addressing the media in Durban, Provincial Secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said they were backing calls from the party’s national office, for the IEC to reopen the candidates’ registration process, even for a day.

“In general, Gizenga, Aqhina Mpanza region, we also do not have ward candidates registered in KwaDukuza Wards 2, 10, 20, 22, and 24. In iNdwedwe Local Municipality within the same region, we were not able to have ward candidates registered in the following wards, 11, 10, 13, and 15.”