The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has verified the registration of the Congress of the People (Cope) as a political party.

This comes after news reports alleged that the party was deregistered.

Party spokesperson Dennis Bloem has since clarified that Cope has deregistered as a company by the Companies Intellectual Properties Commission and remains a political party.

The IEC confirmed on Wednesday that “the Congress of the People is registered with the Commission as a political party in terms of Section 15 (A) (1) of the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996.”

However, the IEC noted that it reserves the right to cancel the registration of a party if it finds that a party no longer has the intention to participate in an election; when a party is not represented in the National Assembly, a Provincial Legislature or Municipal Council; and if a party has not participated in a national, provincial or municipal election after the date of its registration.

Cope is facing leadership battles, with the recent expulsion of the party’s deputy president Willie Madisha and elections secretary Mzwandile Hleko.