Former President Jacob Zuma wants to run as a candidate for the opposition Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK) in May's elections.
South Africa's Electoral Commission has announced that it has appealed to the country's Supreme Court to rule on whether former President Jacob Zuma can stand as a candidate in May's general election.
The commission said in a statement on Friday that it had filed an “urgent and direct” appeal to the Constitutional Court to provide “certainty” on the proper interpretation of constitutional provisions regarding the candidacy of convicted people.
“Such clarity is important not only for the current issue but also for future elections because it is a real issue,” the newspaper said.
The appeal comes after the Electoral Court ruled this week to allow Zuma to run, overturning an earlier decision barring him from running. It was the latest development in the controversy.
Zuma has criticized the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which he once led, and hopes to run for president on behalf of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, which he joined last year.
On May 29, South Africans will go to the polls to elect the 400 members of the General Assembly. One month later, members of the new parliament will choose the next president.
Relying on Zuma's popularity, MK hopes to win enough votes to secure a parliamentary seat while also cutting into the ANC's vote share.
The ANC's vote share could fall below 50% for the first time since 1994. Analysts say Mr Zuma could become the kingmaker if he falls short of a parliamentary majority and will need to find a coalition partner to stay in power.
According to some opinion polls, MK has a national share of over 10 percent, making it the third or fourth largest political force behind the ANC and the Liberal Democratic Alliance.
The party is expected to perform particularly strongly in the battleground region of Mr Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The policy relies largely on the enormous political influence that Zuma, who remains popular despite scandals and corruption allegations, continues to wield, especially among the country's more than 10 million Zulu ethnic group. .
The electoral commission disqualified Mr Zuma, saying the constitution prohibits anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in prison.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison in June 2021 for refusing to testify to a commission investigating financial corruption and cronyism during his term as president.
His lawyer argued that the sentence did not disqualify him because it was a civil action, not a criminal one, and was shortened by immunity.
Zuma was released on medical parole after just two months in prison.
The commission stressed that the appeal was “not intended to engage the political arena” but rather to ensure a “free and fair” electoral process.
