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 […]
OPINION | Michael Louis: The electoral bill remains deeply unconstitutional
In light of the current state of our nation engulfed by failing infrastructure, an ailing economy, stagnant unemployment, rising inflation, unabated corruption, and unaccountable politicians – we have a rare and timeless chance to change it all. Before us is a six-month window of opportunity to create a legislative framework for us as the electorate […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Independent Candidate Association says it will fight government’s ‘unconstitutional’ electoral bill
READ ONLINE Article HERE: https://bit.ly/3sHEzs2 The government has for a long time employed numerous ways to circumvent meaningful electoral reform in South Africa, said Dr Michael Louis, founder of the Independent Candidates Association of South Africa in an address to Parliament’s Home Affairs Committee today. And now, with 100 days to go until the deadline […]
The new Electoral Reform Bill ignores Constitutional Court ruling, says new Independent Candidate Association
By Michael Louis Michael Louis is a Member of Parliament and the founder of the Independent Candidate Association of South Africa (ICA), an oversight body to govern independent candidates, councillors and future independent lawmakers in South Africa. He is a businessman and director of the One South Africa Movement. He was a founding member of the […]