The Independent Electoral Commission has rejected the Islamic State of Africa's bid to register as a political party. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo outlined three reasons for the decision: over 200 objections were lodged, citing the party's Sharia-based policies as incompatible with South Africa's secular values; the group failed to provide 300 valid signatures from registered voters and their public notice appeared in a newspaper with limited reach. The Islamic State of Africa has 30 days to appeal. Elvis Presslin discussed this further with KwaZulu-Natal businessman Farhad Hoomer