The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has decisively rejected the Islamic State of Africa’s (ISA) attempt to register as a political party in South Africa, following a torrent of public objections and widespread concern over the group’s controversial agenda. IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela revealed that more than 200 objections were submitted, highlighting the ISA’s plans to implement Sharia law as fundamentally incompatible with South Africa’s secular, democratic constitution.
The IEC cited three key reasons for denying registration: the party failed to provide the required 300 valid signatures from registered voters, only published their application notice in a low-circulation local newspaper, and—most critically—the ISA’s commitment to basing policies on Sharia law was deemed “antithetical” to the core values of South African democracy.
Alarm bells also rang over the party’s name, which closely mirrors that of the terrorist group ISIS, as well as the contentious history of its founder, Farhad Hoomer, who has faced but not been convicted of terror-related allegations.
Political parties, religious leaders, and civil society organizations have all voiced concerns that allowing the ISA to register could harm South Africa’s international reputation and undermine its constitutional foundations. The ISA now has 30 days to file an appeal against the IEC’s ruling as this unprecedented political battle unfolds.
