Constitutional Court reserves judgment on the ANC's bid to put 181 candidates back on the ballot
The Constitutional Court heard the ANC's appeal on Monday 12 October and reserved judgment (SABC News, IOL, The Citizen). The ANC wants 181 candidates added to the lists for next month's local government elections. The IEC says the party missed the deadline for submitting its candidate lists (SABC News). The Citizen reported that the ANC risks having its candidate missing from six municipalities. IOL reported the ANC's counsel arguing that a lecturer would not refuse to mark a draft. SABC News said the DA warned that a ruling for the ANC could create significant administrative difficulties. Earlier EWN and Business Day reports said the dispute turns on the system's "submit as final" step.
Elections run on fixed timetables. If the court orders candidates added, the IEC may have to change ballots that are already being printed; if it refuses, voters in six municipalities will not see the ANC's candidate.
If you live in one of the affected municipalities, check the IEC's final candidate list for your ward before election day on 4 November.
The ANC says the candidates completed their paperwork and the button is a software step, not a legal requirement.
The IEC and the DA say deadlines must be applied equally, and a late exception would burden election officials.
The court has not given a date for judgment. A ruling in the next few days matters because ballots are being printed.
DailyDrop South Africa edition No. 9 · Morning · TUE., OCT. 13, 2026