Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been barred from running in the upcoming general election in May.
The country’s electoral commission has not provided a specific reason for this decision, but it is likely due to his 2021 conviction and imprisonment for contempt of court, which would make him ineligible.
Zuma’s support for the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has raised concerns within the African National Congress (ANC), the ruling party that has suspended him.
Zuma, who served as president from 2009 to 2018, was listed as the top candidate for the MK party, but objections were raised regarding his potential membership in the National Assembly.
The electoral commission’s head, Mosotho Moepya, confirmed that an objection against Zuma’s candidacy was upheld, citing the constitutional provision that disqualifies individuals who have served prison sentences longer than 12 months from running for office.
While Zuma’s disqualification does not prevent the MK party from participating in the election, it reflects a significant development in South African politics.
Opinion polls suggest that the ANC’s voter support may drop below 50% for the first time since 1994, and the MK party, particularly popular in Zuma’s home region of KwaZulu-Natal, adds complexity to the electoral landscape.
Source-BBC
