JOHANNESBURG -- South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma won his appeal at the country's Electoral Court Tuesday, meaning that he will be allowed to contest the upcoming elections as a candidate of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

"The application for leave to appeal is granted. The appeal succeeds," the Electoral Court's ruling said.

Zuma's appeal at the court came as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the country's election management body, decided in late March to uphold an objection against his candidacy in the elections.

The IEC's objection is hereby dismissed, according to the court's ruling.

Zuma, who was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court in 2021, was nominated as a candidate for the elections by the newly-formed MK Party.

South Africa will hold the national and local government elections on May 29.