ANC races to save 181 candidates after Electoral Court ruling

The African National Congress (ANC) has said it will appeal an Electoral Court ruling that bars 181 of its candidates from contesting November’s municipal elections, as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) moves to publish final candidate lists.

Court loss leaves 181 candidates at risk

The ANC lost its case in the Electoral Court, which dismissed the party’s challenge to its incomplete candidate submissions. 181 ANC candidates failed to be submitted through the IEC online system by the 28 August deadline and are at risk of exclusion from the polls.

ANC vows to appeal

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said:

“After reviewing the judgment, the ANC will exercise its legal rights and pursue the appropriate appeal process.”

Bhengu also said the party respects the courts and is not seeking preferential treatment from the IEC or rule changes to benefit the ANC.

IEC proceeds with election preparations

The IEC said it will move forward with the publication of 136 790 candidates who have met statutory requirements to contest the municipal elections on 4 November. The commission said it will print ballot papers after issuing the final candidate list and noted the paper draw ceremony on 23 September, after which ballot preparations will begin.

Size and composition of the candidate pool

According to the IEC, this election cycle offers 10 526 seats across municipalities, up from the 10 478 seats in 2021. Of the 136 790 candidates:

• 98 219 are party-nominated ward candidates
• 38 571 are proportional representation candidates
• 621 are independent ward candidates

Candidate numbers by municipal type published by the IEC include: 43 098 candidates across eight metropolitan municipalities, 6 443 candidates in 44 district municipalities, and 87 249 candidates in 205 local municipalities.

IEC reaction and timetable

The IEC welcomed the Electoral Court ruling, saying it was satisfied

“the court has spoken”

. IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo confirmed the final candidate total of 136 790 individuals who met the necessary statutory requirements.

Political fallout

Political analyst André Duvenhage was quoted saying the court’s ruling could have a lasting impact on the party’s leadership legacy and pointed to internal conflict and administrative failures within the ANC. He also suggested there were forces inside and outside the party that would like to see the current system fail and said there was a possibility of sabotage and ongoing projects to reshape political alliances.

The ANC has blamed technical glitches for its missed deadline, a claim the IEC rejected, saying its system was functioning properly.

The party’s legal options now include pursuing an appeal following the Electoral Court’s dismissal of its initial challenge.