Overview
- The Electoral Commission of South Africa has said it will not allow any party or independent candidate extra time beyond the closed nomination window and maintains its online capture system was available throughout the period.
- The ANC says technical problems on the lodgement day prevented a small number of its entries from being submitted and that those entries are being finalised with the IEC through established administrative processes.
- If lists remain uncaptured the ANC risks being excluded from contests in affected municipalities, removing the party from ballot races and altering local electoral choices for voters.
- The IEC has scheduled a comprehensive briefing and said the National Political Liaison Committee will discuss nomination intricacies as the formal route to resolve outstanding issues and clarify next steps.
- Opposition figures say they will watch for any special treatment for the ANC and analysts say the episode raises questions about the party’s readiness and the reliability of the nomination process as the elections approach.