The law prohibits the registration of political parties whose names or logos are so similar to those of other parties that they may confuse voters, the Independent Electoral Commission said on Friday.

This, after the ANC reportedly wrote to the IEC asking it to protect the party's name amid threats by former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota to form a breakaway party.

The SABC reported on Friday that the names being bandied about for the new party included ANC-1912, ANC-Democratic Front and ANC-SA.

The ANC could not confirm whether such a letter had been sent to the IEC.

The IEC would not confirm receiving such a letter either, when asked in writing by Sapa.

However, IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela reportedly told the SABC the letter had been received and "is currently being dealt with within the IEC".

She reportedly told the national broadcaster she could not "divulge the contents of the ANC's letter".

After insisting that Sapa submit its questions to the IEC in writing, Bapela issued a terse response which quoted the Electoral Commissions Act.

Bapela said any party aggrieved by a decision on a registration could appeal to the IEC within 30 days of being notified of the decision.

In considering the appeal, the IEC would take into account the fact that the party which had been associated with the name the longest should be entitled to it.

Bapela said a party applying for registration had to publish a notice of its intention to do so.

"This affords other interested parties the opportunity to object to the registration of the applying party," she said.

bull; If there is a new party, what do you think it should be called? Post a comment below…

Sapa