Commission upholds African Transformation Movement (ATM) registration,

annuls Black First Land First (BLF) Registration

15 July 2019

Centurion – The Electoral Commission has met to adjudicate on two appeals

received against the registration of political parties.

In the first case, the Commission dismissed an appeal by the South African Council
of Messianic Churches in Christ (SACMCC) against the registration of the African
Transformation Movement (ATM).

The SACMCC had objected to the registration on the grounds that the ATM had not
submitted all the required documentation. However, the Commission found that the
ATM had met all the necessary requirements for registration in terms of the Electoral
Commission Act.

“On careful consideration of the documentary evidence before the Commission,

there can be no doubt that the ATC and ATM are the same political party and further
that the two registration applications are interlinked. The supplementary application
only sought to deal with those particulars in the initial application that had rendered
the ATC inadmissible, (i.e. the name and logo),” the Commission found in its ruling.

In the second case, the Commission found in favour of an appeal lodged against the
registration of the Black First Land First (BLF) party by the Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+)
on the grounds that the BLF excludes membership on the basis of race.

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The Commission defended the original decision to approve the BLF’s registration in
2016 as it said the BLF’s constitution did not expressly exclude white people from
membership.

However, subsequent admissions by the BLF in its response to the appeal had
served to clarify the position of the party – namely, to exclude white people from
membership.

“This admission settles any ambiguity in relation to clause 4 that previously existed.
It also resolves the dispute as to whether the BLF is a party with a constitution that
entitles it to registration: It is not. Section 16(1)(c) of the Electoral Commission Act
gives the CEO (and, on appeal, the Commission) no discretion but to reject an
application for registration if membership of a party is excluded on any of the
grounds prohibited under subsection (ii).

“Consequently, the registration of the BLF as a party is unlawful on the grounds that
it was prohibited under section 16(1)(c)(ii) of the ECA and is invalid,” the
Commission ruled.

The Commission has written to the appellants and affected parties to inform them of
the decisions.

ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Ensuring free and fair elections

For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Please email requests to spokesperson@elections.org.za

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