The due date for written submissions on the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill by the public is 26 January. Image: The South African.
Electoral Amendment Bill potential threat to democracy – analyst
The Electoral Amendment Bill is problematic and a potential threat to democracy says independent electoral analyst Michael Atkins.
The due date for written submissions on the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill by the public is 26 January. Image: The South African.
With the 2024 elections around the corner, there are still unanswered questions about representation, most notably regarding independent candidates.
According to independent electoral analyst Michael Atkins, the Electoral Amendment Bill is problematic and a potential threat to democracy.
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INDEPENDENTS REQUIRE HIGHER VOTE THRESHOLD TO SECURE SEATS
The Bill, which provides for independent candidates to stand for elections in Parliament and provincial legislatures, amongst other things, was introduced to Parliament in January 2022 and signed into law in April last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Having two ballots for the National Assembly resembles this, but with whole provinces as ‘constituencies.’ To avoid excessively long ballots, independents are limited to contesting regions, with consequentially higher vote thresholds to secure seats, compared to parties,” said Atkins.
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VOTERS FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES HAVE LESS SAY IN THE COMPOSITION PARLIAMENT
He said to avoid excessively long ballots, independents were limited to contesting regions, with consequentially higher vote thresholds to secure seats compared to parties.
The analyst said by including regional ballots in the overall seat allocation for the National Assembly, those voting for independent candidates had less of a say in the composition of Parliament.
“Excess votes for independent candidates inherently favour the largest party. Combined with high vote quotas, votes for independents simply count less than votes for parties.”
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PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS WERE INADEQUATE, SAYS ATKINS
Atkins said while the legal boxes were ticked in holding public hearings and accepting written submissions at the various stages, the public was not well informed.
“It is also unusual to make decisions on an electoral system with only one option presented. Parliament’s evaluation and consideration of the detailed public submissions was inadequate,” he said.
ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL DUE DATE FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
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The closing date for written submissions is 26 January, and submissions can be emailed to Eddy Mathonsi at Electoralmattersbill@parliament.gov.za.
Inquiries can be directed to Mathonsi on cell 083 709 8523 or Gurshwyn Dixon on cell 083 709 8513
