# elab - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/elab/ - Published: 2020-11-02T11:43:26+02:00 - Author: dearSA ![DearSA-Electoral-Laws-Amendment-Bill](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/ uploads/2020/11/20190847/DearSA-Electoral-Laws-Amendment-Bill.jpg "DearSA-Electoral- Laws-Amendment-Bill") ![Dear South Africa](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ 02102235/DearSA-logo-s-100x31.jpg "DearSA-logo-s") ### **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]. [view a report on the written public participation ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190846/Electoral-Laws-Amendment-Bill-report-.pdf) [view a summary of the amendment ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/elab/summary) [click to download a PDF of the comments ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190844/elabB22-2020-final-s.pdf) [click to view Parliament's report ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190840/201110Submission_summary_and_questions_Electoral_Laws_Bill_22_of_2020_2.pdf) ## Have your say – shape this draft amendment. **Error:** Contact form not found. ## View the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee’s follow-up meetings ![Dear South Africa](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ 02102235/DearSA-logo-s-100x31.jpg "DearSA-logo-s") ### SUMMARY Read the full submission from the [Institute of Race Relations here](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190846/IRR-Full-Submission-Electoral-Laws-Amendment-Bill-30-October-2020s.pdf). ### 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certain definitions; * to amend the provisions regarding public access to the voters’ roll; to update references to repealed legislation; * to amend provisions allowing voters to vote in a voting district where they are not registered; * to amend provisions relating to the submission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](https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/home-affairs-committee-adopts-electoral-laws-amendment-bill) * [listen] ChaiFM – [New Blue Review with Benji Shulman (Rob Hutchinson as guest)](https://www.chaifm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2020.11.02-Rob-Hutchinson-MD-of-Dear-South-Africa-a-nonprofit-which-facilitates-public-participation-in-government-decision-making-process.mp3) * IRR – [SA must urgently oppose a seemingly innocuous Bill that could threaten free and fair elections](https://irr.org.za/media/sa-must-urgently-oppose-a-seemingly-innocuous-bill-that-could-threaten-free-and-fair-elections-2013-irr) ### DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS * [Published notice](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190848/Sunday-Times-11-Oct-2020-call-for-submissions-s.pdf) * El[ectoral Laws Amendment Bill [B22–2020]](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20190848/B22_2020_Electoral_Laws_Amendment_Bill.pdf) [Browse the DearSA website ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/pdps/) ### ENABLING YOU TO SHAPE GOVERNMENT POLICY Dear South Africa is a legally recognised and constitutionally protected non-profit platform which enables the public to co-shape all government policies, amendments and proposals. We’ve run many successful campaigns and have amassed a considerably large active participant network of over 750,000 individuals across the country and beyond. **We do not run petitions.** We run legally recognised public participation processes which allow citizens to co-form policy at all levels of governance. Whereas petitions, even if they contain thousands of signatures, are considered as a single submission by government, our process ensures that each comment made through dearsouthafrica. co.za is recognised and counted as an individual submission by government. Furthermore, we keep an accurate record of all participation and produce a publicly available report at the end of each project. This report forms the foundation of a sound legal case should the necessity to challenge the decision arise. Participation costs you NOTHING, and is so easy and quick to do through the platform that you really have no excuse not to help shape policy BEFORE it becomes law. Legally challenging implemented law is costly and rarely successful. Prevention is better than cure. Participation in decision-making processes means a possibility for citizens, civil society organisations and other interested parties to influence the development of policies and laws which affect them. We’ve made it easy for you as a responsible citizen of South Africa, to influence government decisions before they are made.