TSHOLOMNQA, Eastern Cape — United Democratic Movement (UDM) president Bantu Holomisa is actively campaigning in the rural village of Tsholomnqa in the Eastern Cape, focusing on the upcoming November 4 local government elections while simultaneously navigating a complex dispute over the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) candidate list.
Speaking to the press while lobbying for support in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM), Holomisa addressed the pressing issues surrounding the party’s candidate capturing process. He confirmed that the UDM’s ward candidate for the area has been successfully captured and is currently reflecting in the IEC systems.
However, the UDM, alongside 45 other political parties, has been affected by technical and procedural challenges during the candidate registration phase. Holomisa strongly criticized the exclusion of the party from certain aspects of the published lists, questioning the rationale behind disqualifying a political body that has paid its fees and clearly demonstrated its intention to participate in the elections.
He argued that it is unreasonable to banish a party simply because a specific button was not pressed on the digital system. According to the UDM leader, the party’s legitimate expectation to participate and support South Africa’s democracy has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
To resolve the matter, the UDM is taking the candidate list dispute to the Constitutional Court. The party has joined the African National Congress (ANC) in the legal challenge, expressing hope that the court will rule in their favor and secure their rightful place on the ballot.
Beyond the legal challenges, Holomisa also clarified the party’s strategy regarding its Proportional Representation (PR) candidate list. He explained the rationale behind placing UDM Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa near the bottom of the PR list.
Holomisa noted that the decision was a strategic move to unite the party and encourage all aspiring councillors to campaign vigorously. He explained that if grassroots members see the party leadership occupying the top spots—number one, two, three, or four—they might become discouraged and stop campaigning. By positioning leadership lower on the list, the UDM aims to foster a more unified and motivated campaign effort across all wards.
The party is now waiting for the IEC to officially confirm how many seats the UDM is entitled to in the Buffalo City Metro and other municipalities. Once the seat allocation is finalized, the UDM plans to combine its ward and PR candidate lists to field a strong, cohesive team for the November 4 local government elections.
