Nominations: Candidates for appointment to Electoral Reform Consultation Panel

The Minister of Home Affairs invites the public and interested parties to nominate fit and proper South African Citizens for membership to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel.

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All motivated nominations indicating the prescribed requirements and which must be accompanied by an acceptance of nomination duly signed by the nominated candidate must be emailed to [email protected] on or before Friday, 19 January 2024.

Members of the public are encouraged to nominate women, youth and persons with disabilities.

Previously submitted nominations will be considered and therefore such nominations need not be resubmitted.
 

Nominated citizens must possess the following qualities:

-Have the necessary skills, expertise, experience, knowledge, or academic qualifications in the administration and running of elections or constitutional law or electoral systems;

-Must not be members of Parliament or any provincial legislature; and

-Must not, in the past 12 months, have been office-bearers or employees of any political party

Any enquiries related to the establishment of the Panel must be addressed to contact: Adv Phelelani Khumalo or Adv Moses Malakate at  (012) 406 2929 or (012) 406 4273

On 19 May 2023 and 21 July 2023, respectively, the Minister issued Notices calling upon members of the public, as well as interested parties, to nominate fit and proper South African citizens to be appointed as members of the Panel. 

Upon receiving nominations, and after consultation with the Electoral Commission and the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, it became apparent that the Minister must issue a new Notice calling for nomination.

The Electoral Amendment Act 2023, having come into effect on 17 April 2023, requires the Minister of Home Affairs, in consultation with the Electoral Commission to appoint an Electoral Reform Consultation Panel. Appointment to the Panel is subject to the approval of the National Assembly. The Panel must consist of 9 members who must table a report on electoral reform recommendations within 12 months of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

The functions of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel are to independently investigate electoral reforms for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. The contemplated investigations would include conducting research and embarking on public consultations. The Panel must submit three monthly progress reports to the Minister and ultimately submit a final report with recommendations on potential electoral reforms. The final report must contain the advantages, disadvantages as well as financial, legal, and constitutional implications of each recommended option.

Electoral Amendment Act 2023 (view sec 23)

Parliamentary deliberations during the processing of the Electoral Amendment Bill

Electoral Task Team (also known as the Slabbert Task Team)

ATC231206: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on the Establishment of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel dated 4 December 2023