Ramaphosa’s electoral reform headache as December deadline looms
by Michael Appel Opposition to the electoral amendment bill, in its current form, continues to grow, with Ramaphosa under increasing pressure to act before the 10 December deadline. In June 2020, the Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to make the necessary legislative changes to the existing electoral law, which makes it impossible for an independent candidate to […]
OPINION | Michael Louis: Electoral reform – power lies with the people, not the politicians
By Michael Louis Civil society has made submissions to the NCOP on 9 November, making a case for why the electoral reform bill is defective and cannot become law in its current form. Last week Parliament sat to put the final touches on a piece of legislation that was initiated by a legal challenge that […]
OPINION | The ‘Kairos’ moment: Our last chance for electoral reform
By Michael Louis Michael Louis calls on civil society and the public to make submissions on the electoral amendment bill, writing that we must collaborate and stand firm to make the best of this opportunity that will not come around again in this generation. When I – along with many others – began the legal […]
DA, EFF objects as Parliament edges closer to finalising Electoral Amendment Bill
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is now expected to adopt the report before referring it to the National Assembly. By Molefe Seeletsa Parliament has resolved outstanding issues regarding the Electoral Amendment Bill and is gearing itself up to approve the legislation. The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs met on Friday to discuss outstanding issues and […]
Electoral Amendment Bill: Why civil society groups reject Parliament’s endorsement of minority report
By Marvin Charles More than 50 civil society groups gathered on the steps of Parliament on Friday to hand over a formal submission to the Speaker of the National Assembly, rejecting the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before Parliament. More than 50 civil society organisations rejected the Electoral Amendment Bill. It comes less than 90 days […]
OPINION | Michael Louis: Parliament deploying ‘Stalingrad’ tactics when it comes to electoral reform
It is clear that Parliament will not be able to pass a constitutionally compliant electoral reform act by the December deadline, writes Michael Louis. The lifeblood of our democracy is the right to vote. This is underpinned by the founding values in our Constitution: human dignity, universal adult suffrage, national common voters roll, regular elections and […]
Electoral bill remains ‘unconstitutional’ – Independent Candidate Association
(Watch the Video Interview) How many people wasted their votes at the last local government elections in 2021? Dr Michael Louis chats to Michael from BizNews in a wide-ranging interview where Michael Louis explains the genesis of the June 2020 concourt ruling on how the bill of rights which gives the individual the right to […]
Electoral Amendment Bill: OSA considers options after Parliament asks ConCourt for extension
The One South Africa Movement is considering its option after Parliament asked the Constitutional Court for a six-month extension to amend the Electoral Act. The Constitutional Court gave Parliament two years to amend the law, but Parliament only started working on the law this year. The law must allow citizens, who are not members […]
OPINION | Mudzuli Rakhivhane: Draft electoral bill can change SA’s democracy, but has 4 key flaws
Parliament is currently considering what is arguably the single most important piece of legislation before it since the dawn of democracy, writes One South Africa Movement’s Mudzuli Rakhivhane. The One South Africa Movement (OSA) believes strongly in the ability of independent candidates of all races, classes, and genders to act as agents of significant change […]
Why proposed amendments to SA’s electoral system favour the governing ANC
IMAGE: Right – A woman leaves a voting station after casting her vote during the local government elections in Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 1 November 2021. (Photo: EPA-EFE / KIM LUDBROOK) By Pierre de Vos In June 2020, the Constitutional Court instructed Parliament to amend the electoral system within 24 months to allow independent […]