Electoral Commission to Comply with Constitutional Court Judgment on Candidate Qualification

The Electoral Commission has announced its intention to comply with the Constitutional Court’s judgment regarding the qualification of candidates nominated to stand for election to the National Assembly. The Commission had sought clarity from the Court on its powers to enforce section 47(1) of the Constitution, which pertains to the eligibility of individuals to be members of the National Assembly.

With the matter now settled by the highest court in the land, the Commission can proceed with final preparations for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE) without fear of challenge. The Commission has reassured the public that the judgment will not affect the ballot papers for the 2024 NPE in any way. However, the name of Mr. Jacob Zuma will be removed from the list of candidates nominated by the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, while his photograph will remain in the cluster of identifiers for the party.

This development marks a significant step forward in ensuring the integrity and legitimacy of South Africa’s electoral process. The Electoral Commission remains committed to conducting free and fair elections, and this clarification from the Constitutional Court will help to ensure a smooth and successful electoral process.