Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
27 February 2023 | 20:43 CAT

Image: News24

The National Assembly has passed the Electoral Amendment Bill. The bill was necessitated by a Constitutional Court ruling that required a legislative amendment to allow independent candidates to participate in provincial and national elections.

The bill is necessitated by an 11 June 2020 Constitutional Court ruling that declared the Electoral Act unconstitutional “to the extent that it requires that adult citizens may be elected to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures only through their membership of political parties.”

Speaking to Radio Islam International My Vote Counts’ Electoral Systems Researcher, Lethogonolo Letshele said the bill is biased against independent candidates.

A key amendment to the electoral law is the number of supporters’ signatures an independent candidate will require before being able to run for a legislature seat.

The DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party took exception to the bill. At the same time, the African National Congress, the Economic Freedom Fighters, GOOD Party and Al-Jamah supported the bill with 218 votes to 81.

Several opposition parties state the amendments mock the bill’s intentions and will disadvantage instead of support independent candidates to participate in national elections.

Meanwhile, independence is a step in the right direction, even though not favourable at present. Letshele said the future might bring amendments and adjustments bringing the Plainfield level.

“Post the election there will be a panel suggesting the best ways forward,” says Letshele.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie and guest Lethogonolo Letshele.