IEC says Zuma appeal not about entering 'political field of play' but clarity 'for future elections'
The IEC says it believes there’s 'substantial public interest in providing certainty on the proper interpretation' of the Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution - upon which it had disqualified Zuma from contesting upcoming polls.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho We Sizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it's not trying to get involved in the “political field of play” with its appeal against the Electoral Court’s decision that former president Jacob Zuma can run for public office in the upcoming elections.
The IEC had disqualified Zuma based on Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution, which bars anyone who’s been sentenced to 12 months or more in prison without the option of a fine - like Zuma was when he was found guilty of contempt in 2021 - from being a member of the National Assembly.
Earlier this week, the Electoral Court upheld a challenge from Zuma and his newly-formed Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
But the IEC has now turned to the Constitutional Court with an appeal.
The IEC says it believes there’s “substantial public interest in providing certainty on the proper interpretation” of the section in question.
It also says it’s not just about the matter at hand, but that such clarity is important “also for future elections”.
The Commission maintains that this appeal is not intended “to involve itself in the political field of play”.
Instead, it says, it is to “ensure free and fair elections by ensuring that applicable constitutional provisions relating to elections are clearly understood by all role-players and applied evenly”.