The Organization to End Tax Abuse (OUTA) said it would make further comments after seeing the Electoral Reform Consultative Committee's report, which includes recommendations, due in May next year.
This committee was established to begin the process of investigating the possibility of changing South Africa's current electoral system.
Currently, the country uses a closed list election system.
In October, the commission finalized the procedure for accepting calls for proposals for a constituency-based electoral system.
Dr Rachel Fisher is Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager at OUTA and says: 'The Undo Tax Abuse organization strongly supports electoral reform aimed at strengthening South Africa's democracy. OUTA's vision is to , electoral reform is consistent with the fundamental principles articulated at the Electoral Reform Consultative Panel Discussion, which emphasizes fairness, accountability and transparency, and that South Africa's electoral system provides fair participation for independent candidates. This is a pivotal opportunity to redesign.”
Policy analyst Nkosikhulle Nyembezi says the planned revitalization of the country's electoral system will go a long way in keeping politicians on their toes. The Consultative Panel on Electoral System Reform has completed the process of accepting public submissions regarding a proposal to change the current closed list election system to a constituency-based election system.
The committee plans to submit its report to Secretary of the Interior Dr. Leon Shriver by the end of May 2025.
Nyumbezi says there is great hope for change.
“There is good reason to look forward to the panel’s recommendations, especially as South Africans vote in a way that shows they no longer want the dominance of a single party in parliament.”We also have good reason to look forward to the panel’s recommendations. We hope that this will be reflected in the long-awaited national dialogue in a way that shows that the right to run for public office rests with individual South Africans, not just political parties. Another interesting issue concerns political party funding, which has become very prevalent these days in light of corruption accusations. ”
Parliamentary Home Affairs Portfolio Committee Chairman Mosa Chabane said the issue of possible election changes could only be considered once the matter was tabled in parliament.
Shriver is expected to receive a report from the Consultative Committee on Election Reform by May next year at the latest.
Shriver recently provided an update to Congress.
“That process is now well underway, with public engagement and other parts of that process unfolding, and that committee will then make recommendations that will also be submitted to this Parliament. , Only once this process is complete can it be possible to substantively address whether these changes will be made or required.
