APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law an amendment to the electoral act that will make it possible for independent candidates to contest National Assembly and provincial elections, his office said on Monday.
The Electoral Amendment Bill provides for the amendment of the Electoral Act of 1998 and gives effect to a June 2020 Constitutional Court judgment that declared the law unconstitutional for stipulating that one needs to be a member of a political party to be elected to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.
The amended electoral act now provides for the inclusion and nomination of independent candidates as contesters to elections in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures.
“The Electoral Amendment Bill marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our democracy by expanding electoral participation and widening the pool of leadership choice for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “The bill presents a development that can only enrich and sustain our growing constitutional democracy.”
He said the amended Act required Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to establish an Electoral Reform Consultation Panel within four months of gazetting the amendments.
The new law also stipulates requirements to be met by persons wishing to be contest as independent candidates and a revised formula for the allocation of seats.
Currently seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures are allocated on a proportional representation basis.
JN/APA