The DA said that if the ANC is granted a second chance, then other parties in the same position should also be allowed to have their candidates included on the ballot.
The DA is acting as an intervening party in the ANC’s case against the Electoral Commission.
It said that if the court finds in the ANC’s favour, then all parties which uploaded candidate names before the deadline, but failed to press the final submit button, should be allowed to contest.
He said that the electoral rules must apply equally to all.
"We know there are many other candidates in the same position. There’s at least one other party that approached the Electoral Court. The matter was heard just hours before the ANC’s matter. Freedom in South Africa. What happens to Freedom in South Africa? Do they get on the ballot? What happens to all the other candidates? Do they get on the ballot? It won’t be a free and fair election if they are not," said Bishop.
The IEC’s Advocate Terry Motau said that the Commission took no decision on its own whether or not to accept party lists, and that granting the ANC leave to appeal this matter is not in the interest of justice.