comment on the Electoral Laws Amendment Bill

13387 participants (closed 7 November)

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs called for public comment on the Electoral Laws Amendment Bill [B22–2020].

The Bill seeks to amend three pieces of legislation, namely, the Electoral Commission Act, the Electoral Act and the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act [view summary below].

Have your say – shape this draft amendment.

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SUMMARY

Read the full submission from the Institute of Race Relations here.

The draft Bill seeks to amend;

Electoral Commission Act, 1996, so as to insert certain definitions; to streamline the provisions for the registration of political parties;
to provide for the registration of parties in respect of particular provinces, district and metropolitan municipalities and to repeal provisions relating to registration of parties in respect of particular local municipalities;
to repeal obsolete provisions • Electoral Act, 1998, so as to insert certain definitions;
to amend the provisions regarding public access to the voters’ roll; to update references to repealed legislation;
to amend provisions allowing voters to vote in a voting district where they are not registered;
to amend provisions relating to the submission of lists of candidates;
to amend provisions relating to special votes in elections
for the National Assembly;
to authorise the Commission to prescribe a different voting method ;
to amend provisions relating to the procedure concerning provisional results and voting materials;
to provide for the limited applicability of the Code; to amend Schedule 3; and
local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000, so as to insert and delete certain definitions;
to amend the requirements for parties contesting elections by way of party lists and for a ward candidate to contest elections;
to authorise the Commission to prescribe a different voting procedure for those voters whose names appear on the voters’ roll, without addresses;
to authorise the Commission to prescribe a different voting method;
to amend provisions relating to the effect of certain irregularities, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

IN THE MEDIA

Parliament of RSA – media release
[listen] ChaiFM – New Blue Review with Benji Shulman (Rob Hutchinson as guest)
IRR – SA must urgently oppose a seemingly innocuous Bill that could threaten free and fair elections

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS

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