# The South African Communist Party says the ANC has no right to stop it from contesting elections independently. General secretary Solly Mapaila insists the SACP will go ahead with its 2026 bid. The IEC cleared the party to run, despite an earlier deregistration notice. Backed by the National Union of Mineworkers, Mapaila says the SACP remains firm even as the ANC warns it could split the progressive vote:
SACP defies ANC, confirms plan to contest 2026 elections alone [SOUND]
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