The ANC has no objection to SA Democratic Congress as the name for a breakaway group which intends contesting next year's elections, the party said on Monday.

Last week the party lodged an urgent court application to stop the use of the name the SA National Convention, on the grounds that it might be confusingly similar to its own name and identity.

But, a statement said that the ANC could not stop the legal action, set down for Thursday, until it received an official letter from the organisation led at this stage by Mbhazima Shilowa, Terror Lekota and Mluleki George.

"We will not oppose the use of the name SA Democratic Congress as our application specifically referred to the names South Africa National Congress and/or South Africa National Convention and/or SANC," the ruling party said.

"By bringing the application the ANC sought to assert its legal rights to protect its trademark, name and identity from being appropriated to serve other people's political aspirations."

Set for launch on 16 December

The movement, which plans to launch as a political party on 16 December, would begin the process of registering the party on Monday morning, SADC spokesperson Mbulelo Ncedana said earlier.

"We are busy with that this morning," he said.

After a convention held in Sandton over the weekend, delegates from provinces proposed the names from which SADC was selected.

The party's name has to be registered with the Independent Electoral Commission for it to contest next year's elections.

Early morning radio hosts pointed out that the acronym SADC is the same as that of regional body the Southern African Development Community.

According to IEC regulations

The IEC stipulates that a party can register at national level to contest elections of the National Assembly, provincial legislatures and all municipal councils.

For this, it must submit a completed application for registration; the name, which must be not more than 60 letters, an abbreviated name of not more than eight letters, a copy of its constitution, its deed of foundation signed by 500 registered voters who support the founding of the party, two sets of party logo/symbols in colour and a R500 registration fee.

It must place a Notice in the Government Gazette and must submit a hard copy of the Gazette as proof of publication.

The application may only be considered 14 days after it is lodged with the IEC to allow for objections.

Its proposed name, abbreviated name, distinguishing mark or symbol must not resemble that of any other registered party to the extent that it may deceive or confuse voters.

Its branding must also not contain anything that portrays incitement of violence or hatred; or that may offend on the grounds of race, gender, sex, ethnic origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture or language.

It can also not indicate that people will not be admitted to membership or welcomed as supporters on the grounds of their race, ethnic origin or colour.

Sapa