South Africa’s Election Commission Thursday (March 28) barred former President Jacob Zuma from contesting in the country’s upcoming polls in May.

While the commission did not provide a specific reason for the decision, it is likely to do with Zuma’s 2021 conviction and imprisonment. South Africa’s constitution does not allow an individual convicted for more than a year to hold public office. Zuma now has until April 2 to appeal against his ineligibility, South Africa’s Anadolu Agency reported.