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 […]
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 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 […]
LETTER TO PARLIAMENT’S HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE | Electoral Amendment Bill process was flawed
LETTER TO PARLIAMENT’S HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE | Electoral Amendment Bill process was flawed We write with grave concern that there has been a failure to meet these constitutional standards in the public participation process concerning the Electoral Amendment Bill, writes a group of civil organisations. Dear Mr Chabane Last month, the much-anticipated public hearings into […]