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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]