The Constitutional Court today ruled in favour of the ANC in a legal battle over the eligibility of 181 ANC candidates to contest the upcoming local government elections in six municipalities.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in an official statement said it notes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the appeal brought by the ANC concerning the submission of candidate lists for the elections on November 4.

The ruling follows the ANC’s appeal against the earlier Electoral Court judgment that dismissed its challenge to the IEC’s decision to exclude the candidates from contesting the elections in six municipalities. The candidates were excluded after the party failed to meet the deadline for submitting online candidate nominations through the IEC’s official nomination system.

The IEC said it respects the authority of the Constitutional Court as the court of final instance and will give effect to its order.

“While the Commission’s position throughout the proceedings has been guided by its interpretation of the applicable electoral legislation and the need to ensure the consistent application of prescribed electoral processes, it recognises its constitutional obligation to implement the Court’s decision.”

The IEC indicated that it would communicate further details regarding the implementation process once the necessary assessments had been completed.