JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Electoral Commission (IEC) will recognize the candidate nominations of 32 political parties that failed to complete the final online submission step, extending relief following a Constitutional Court ruling in favor of the African National Congress (ANC) ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday that the decision was made to ensure fair treatment of political parties and uphold the constitutional requirement for free and fair elections.
"It would be irrational and offensive to the principle of parity of treatment to exclude parties similarly situated to the ANC," Moepya said.
The 32 parties had nominated eligible candidates and paid the required election deposits but, like the ANC, had failed to submit their final candidate lists through the commission's online system. They had intended to contest in 121 municipalities across the country, covering metropolitan, local and district council ballots.
The decision follows Thursday's Constitutional Court order requiring the IEC to include 181 ANC candidates across six municipalities. The commission said its decision to extend the relief to similarly affected parties was intended to ensure equal treatment in the electoral process.
Moepya said the developments were not expected to affect the election date on Nov. 4, although they had significantly compressed the time available for logistical preparations. ■
