Electoral Court dismisses DA case on single-name party lists

The Electoral Court ruled on Friday that the law allows single-name proportional representation lists. It also allows parties to add names after the election under Item 17. The court found the practice was not fraudulent, unconstitutional or unlawful. Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood presided, and Judge Lebogang Modiba and Professor Moses Phooko concurred.

The court heard the matter on 13 October. The DA argued that the four parties used Item 17 as a planned strategy to keep candidates hidden from voters until after the count. Opposing parties said the DA had used the same practice itself, including in the current elections.

The DA says it will argue its constitutional challenge before the Electoral Court. Mangcu-Lockwood wrote that a matter of such weight needs careful handling, not "a rushed jolt". DA federal council chairperson Ashor Sarupen said the ruling exposes a serious gap in electoral law.

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said the case was an attempt to brand four opposition parties as fraudsters. ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont called the case stillborn. He said granting the DA's request would have disenfranchised 25% of the electorate from council representation.