In South Africa, former President Jacob Zuma has been barred from participating in the upcoming general election in May.
The electoral commission has not disclosed the reason behind this decision, but Zuma’s previous conviction and imprisonment for contempt of court in 2021 likely render him ineligible for candidacy.
Zuma’s backing of the new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party posed a challenge to the ruling African National Congress (ANC), from which he was suspended.
Despite being touted as the top candidate for the MK party, objections were raised against Zuma’s potential membership in the National Assembly, leading to his disqualification by the electoral commission.
According to the South African constitution, individuals who have served prison terms exceeding 12 months are ineligible for office, which applies to Zuma’s 15-month sentence for contempt of court.
Nonetheless, the ruling does not prevent the MK party from participating in the upcoming election.
Recent opinion polls suggest a potential decline in the ANC’s vote share, possibly below 50% for the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994, with the MK party gaining traction, especially in Zuma’s home region of KwaZulu-Natal.
