In a surprising turn of events, a South African court on Tuesday overturned a decision by electoral authorities to bar former president Jacob Zuma from standing in the upcoming general elections due to a contempt conviction.

The electoral court ruled in favor of the 81-year-old Zuma, who is leading uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new opposition party that has emerged as a potential challenger in the May 29 election.

In its verdict, the court nullified the decision of the Electoral Commission to exclude Zuma from the electoral race, without providing further explanation on the basis of its ruling.

The looming general elections in South Africa are anticipated to be fiercely contested, and Zuma’s participation could significantly impact the political landscape.

Zuma’s newfound party, MK, is expected to challenge the dominance of the embattled ruling African National Congress (ANC), potentially causing the ANC’s vote share to dip below 50 percent for the first time since 1994.

MK celebrated the court’s decision as a triumph over alleged attempts by the ANC to sideline it, emphasizing the victory as a win for democracy and the right of South Africans to choose their leaders freely.

“This victory extends beyond President Zuma and the MK Party as it symbolises a victory for every South African who believes in fairness, democracy, and the inviolable right to elect leaders of their choice, free from undue interference,” it said.

Reacting to the court’s ruling, Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, confirmed that her father would be on the ballot paper, signaling Zuma’s readiness to pursue his political aspirations despite legal challenges.

While the electoral commission acknowledged the court’s decision, it expressed the need for clarity on the rationale behind the ruling, indicating that it would seek legal advice before determining its next steps.

“Naturally the commission is taking legal advice…and will chart a way forward based on such advice,” it said.

Zuma’s disqualification stemmed from a 15-month jail sentence he received in June 2021 for contempt of court after refusing to testify before a corruption inquiry.

However, Zuma’s legal team argued that the sentence did not disqualify him from contesting elections, as it followed civil rather than criminal proceedings.

The ANC’s diminishing popularity in opinion polls, coupled with allegations of corruption and mismanagement, has created an opportunity for parties like MK to gain traction, particularly in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the party is expected to perform strongly.

Despite tensions between the ANC and MK, exacerbated by legal disputes and accusations of inciting violence, Zuma remains a polarizing figure with significant support, especially among the Zulu population.

As South Africa prepares for the elections, the electoral commission is set to finalize the candidate list, with Zuma’s inclusion reshaping the political dynamics and intensifying competition in the electoral arena.

The electoral commission is expected to publish the final candidate list on Wednesday.