The African National Congress (ANC) is making a last-ditch effort to add at least 180 candidates to its party lists for the upcoming municipal polls. The party will appear before the Constitutional Court on Monday in a bid to resolve the issue. The ANC lost its case in the Electoral Court last month, arguing that the Electoral Commission was taking its candidate registration rules too far. The party failed to meet the August deadline for submitting candidates in six municipalities.
The ANC's failure to register its candidates on time has created an opportunity for its rivals, particularly the Democratic Alliance (DA), to gain control in some municipalities. The DA has announced mayoral candidates in ANC strongholds, including Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill in the Eastern Cape. DA Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield says the ANC's mistakes have created a chance for residents to vote for an alternative government. The DA is also eyeing possibilities in other municipalities, including Walter Sisulu and Sundays River Valley.
The ANC's list debacle has led to legal challenges from Eastern Cape party members, who alleged that the party's lists were manipulated. The party had earlier claimed that the Electoral Commission's online nomination system was not working optimally on deadline day. However, it has since dropped these claims and will now rely on its explanation that it had uploaded candidate details by the cut-off and intended them to be included in its lists.
The Constitutional Court's decision will have significant implications for the ANC's chances in the municipal polls. If the court rules in favor of the ANC, it may still be able to contest proportional representation council seats in some municipalities. However, if the court upholds the Electoral Commission's decision, the ANC may be forced to forgo these seats. The party's fortunes in the Eastern Cape, in particular, have taken a hit due to its inability to field candidates.
The DA has been quick to capitalize on the ANC's misfortunes in the Eastern Cape. Whitfield says the party's growth in the region is undeniable and that it must be there to protect good governance, stability, and basic services. The DA is particularly excited about its prospects in Sundays River Valley, where a win would place it in government not only in the municipality but also in the Sarah Baartman district.
The ANC's troubles are not limited to the Eastern Cape. The party is also facing challenges in other parts of the country, including Cape Town. ANC leader Gwede Mantashe has urged supporters in Cape Town to go to the polls in their numbers. The party is hoping to shore up its electoral chances in the city ahead of the polls.
The Constitutional Court's decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the ANC and the broader political landscape. The court's ruling will determine whether the ANC can add the 180 candidates to its party lists and contest the municipal polls in full. The outcome will also have implications for the DA and other parties, which are eagerly awaiting the court's decision.
Key points
- The ANC is making a last-ditch effort to add 180 candidates to its party lists for the municipal polls.
- The party's failure to register its candidates on time has created opportunities for its rivals, particularly the DA.
- The Constitutional Court's decision will have significant implications for the ANC's chances in the municipal polls.
