OPINION | Michael Louis: Stop playing Russian roulette with our right to vote
by Michael Louis It is not by chance that currently more than 77 civil organisations, including religious, business and trade unions, are unsettled, and the objection to the current draft Electoral Amendment bill, passed by the standing committee last week, is gaining momentum, writes Michael Louis. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is playing Russian roulette […]
Approval of Electoral Amendment Bill is yet another constitutional crisis in the making
By Michael Louis Civil society has been given no other option than to rely on the courts and civil mobilisation to realise its constitutional rights and reform this electoral system. Wednesday 12 October 2022 marked a Kairos day in 28 years of democracy when Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs approved the Electoral Amendment Bill to […]
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 […]
Time to talk bluntly about Parliament’s blatant Stalingrad tactics on electoral reform
By Michael Louis Dr Michael Louis is the Chairperson of the One South Africa Movement (OSA). _____________________________________________________________________________ Over the past decade and more, we’ve heard much reference to the concept of “Stalingrad” legal strategy — particularly in reference to the likes of former president Jacob Zuma and embattled Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. It is a long-term […]
Electoral Amendment Bill is still unconstitutional, say opponents
Civil society organisations to make a last-ditch effort to get the bill changed Civil society organisations will be making a last-ditch effort to amend the Electoral Amendment Bill to address what they regard as its unconstitutional aspects, but with parliament’s home affairs committee had decided on most issues there seems little prospect of success at […]
Civil Society agrees on next steps to change electoral system before 2024 elections
Joint Statement by civil society organisations This past Friday, 27 May 2022, a large cohort of civil society organisations held a roundtable discussion to deliberate and decide on a collective approach to the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before Parliament. This gathering took place just two weeks ahead of the 11 June 2022 deadline set by […]
Parliament fails again, putting party ahead of country in electoral reform bill
Hot in the Kitchen Much? Three months to go: MPs’ last-minute rush to meet Concourt deadline torpedoes public participation Parliament’s public hearings on the crucial Electoral Amendment Bill were more of a public relations exercise than responsible action in the public interest. What should have been a thoughtful consultation across the country about how independent […]
Valli Moosa | My vote must actually count
A proposed new electoral system is complex to understand, complicated to implement, and less fair than the current systems for national, provincial and municipal government, writes Valli Moosa. Free and fair elections. This is one of the greatest successes of the South African democracy. A new electoral system is under consideration by Parliament at present and […]
Inclusive Society Institute says Electoral Bill does not respond to society’s expectations for fundamental electoral reform
THE Inclusive Society Institute says the current Electoral Amendment Bill does not adequately respond to society’s expectations for fundamental electoral reform. This was the position advanced by the civil society group when it made its submission to the parliamentary public hearing on the Electoral Amendment Bill this week. The home affairs portfolio committee is in […]
Time to make proper provision for all Electoral Candidates
Electoral Amendment Bill under consideration ignores the Constitutional Court directive for Parliament to pass a law to include independent candidates in all our legislative bodies CAPE TOWN – When the current fighting over the appropriate scope of the legislation to include independent candidates into all our legislative bodies stops, Parliament and civil society organisations […]