MK Party appeals IEC's decision to remove Zuma from party lists ahead of polls
Last week, the IEC upheld an objection to Zuma’s candidature - disqualifying him from standing for legislative seats in the upcoming general elections.
Picture: X/MkhontoweSizwex
JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has appealed the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)’s decision to remove Jacob Zuma from its party lists.
Last week, the IEC upheld an objection to Zuma’s candidature - disqualifying him from standing for legislative seats in the upcoming general elections.
Tuesday was the final day for Zuma and the party to appeal the decision at the Electoral Court.
In its court papers, the MK Party has set out three grounds for their appeal.
It says the IEC never furnished it with the reasons for the objection against Zuma because the IEC sent them to the wrong email address.
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The party argues that the electoral watchdog does not have jurisdiction to regulate the membership of the National Assembly.
It has also inferred there was bias from IEC commissioners when deciding to uphold the objection to Zuma’s candidature.
It says the recusal of Judge Dhaya Pillay from voting on the objection suggests the process should be further investigated.
Pillay, who is also an IEC commissioner, served on the Constitutional Court when Zuma was sentenced for contempt of court.