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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Electoral Amendment Bill: ConCourt hands Parliament ‘lifeline’
The Constitutional Court granted Parliament a six-month extension to amend the Electoral Act. Parliament requested the extension after it could not process the bill on time, which was tabled by Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in January. OSA said the extension was a “lifeline” to Parliament after it “dragged its feet for two years”. […]
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 […]
Electoral reform bill: Independent candidates want to champion service for South Africans failed by politics accreditation
Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee will consider submissions on the Electoral Amendment Bill. In June 2020, a Constitutional Court ruling declared the Electoral Act unconstitutional. The committee is on a drive to present amendments to adhere to the directive of the Constitutional Court. Independent candidates running for political office removes the notion that South Africans must […]
The parody that is public participation in South Africa laid bare at Electoral Bill hearings
The public hearings into government’s proposed new Electoral Bill have thus far been something of a farce, totally ignoring the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the inclusion of independent candidates in elections. Last week the much-anticipated public hearings into government’s proposed new Electoral Bill commenced, affording South Africans the opportunity to have their say on which […]