a. To regulate municipal elections; to amend certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith including gender sensitivity and the participation of women at all levels of municipal elections as candidates for election to office, as staff, and as voters.

a. Literacy should be included in definitions and should refer to

a.1 the diverse levels of literacy, including illiteracy, amongst voters

b. Language should be included and should refer to

b.1 sign language, braille, graphic illustrations and symbols

b.2 inclusive of other official languages.

c. Media should be included and should refer to

c.1 Diverse and appropriate forms of media to advise voters of different language and literacy ability and to ensure access to

c1.a. gazetted information

c1.b. changes and! or additions to such information

c1.c. notice of intention to change legislation and

c.1.d. invitation to comment on said legislative changes

c.1.e. notice of revote

c.1.f. postponement of voting

c1.g. relocation of a voting station, mobile voting stations and all other relevant information; and to the

c.2. Code of conduct for political parties and die public media organisations and institutions

a. Add 5.(3) Should new or altered demarcation of wards (boundaries) place a registered voter in a different ward from that in which the voter originally registered, then the municipality must automatically transfer and advise the voter

a. Add to 12.(1) an employee or other person and shall ensure a minimum 50% women

representation of all staff and at all levels of employment

a. Add to 13. (2) point (d) must comply with the Local Government Municipal Structures Act (1998) with specific reference to a minimum 50% women

candidates on their

ward and proportional lists for nominated councillors.

b. Add to 14. (a)(ii) a party list consisting of not less than 50% women

c. Addl4.(c) A party that fails to meet the 50% women candidate requirement will automatically forfeit participation in the election

a. Add to 23. (b) ...taking into account the election in which the ballot paper is to be used, the constituency, and disabled voters.

a. Add to 27... is to be conducted, with the required deference to gender balance

b. Apply To 29.31.33.35. and in all appointments of staff and officials

a. Add point (c) An institution must be gender sensitive and must have employed

50% women at all levels of employment for at least 2years prior to the appointment.

a. Add to 37. (1)

(c) suffers from mental deficiency

(d) had been found guilty of a criminal offence during the past 18 months, or

Is serving a current sentence for such a criminal offence..

a. Add to 39. (1) and (2); ...a number of agents that shall include not less than 50 % women

a. Add to (41) ...to observe an election, and must effectively contribute to the status of women and gender sensitivity,. to qualify as a fully' accredited observer that promotes free and fair elections

Add 41(3) (b) (iv) and subscribe to relevant laws and principals that govern the 1

1. upliftment of the status of women and

2. gender sensitivity.

a. Add to 43.(3) (c) ; point (iv) subscribe to the relevant laws and principals that

govern

1. upliftrnent of the status of women and

2. gender sensitivity

(c) promote and affirm the role of women

(d) Ensure gender sensitivity

(e) Ensure geographic, particularly rural and informal settlement, support for a fair and free election

a. Add to 4.(1) (b) Ensure the involvement of women and promote gender sensitivity

a. Add to 6.(d) ..and actively seek to place women in decision making positions at all levels of local government activities.

a. Add:8.1.

1. The media must ensure fair representation of facts

2. Promote the status of women

3. Show gender sensitivity

Noting that

1. the National Constitution speaks to non- sexism, equality, political rights, recognition of past injustices, democracy for all, and thereby to the affirmation of women, and underscores this because

2. South Africa is a signatory of and ratified CEDAW

3. South Africa put Parliamentary Gender machinery in place and

4. The Gender Equity Act and

5. The acknowledged priority given to the Status of Women and the quality of their lives,

6. South Africa has an inherent and lawful affirmative policy and that this policy must be seen to function in relation to women at all levels of governance.

7. It is not axiomatic that the provisions for the inclusivity of women as allowed for in the Municipal Structures Act (1998) will be implemented by political parties stemming from, and entrenched, in patriarchal organisational and social systems.

8. It is incumbent upon the Government to ensure that triple oppression is countered at every level of governance and of society so that the emancipation of women and their meaningful inclusion in decision making and in governance become realised as provided for in the Constitution and in the international agreements that South Africa is party to.

9. It is not sufficient that women by themselves strive for their liberation and for their rights, but that this must be a joint social, institutional, and governmental commitment that is underscored by government's tenacious insistence for gender equality, the affirmation of women, and resourcing for empowerment, therefore the ANC Women's League Northern Suburbs, Women In Leadership, and the Local Submissions Committee Elsies River express their support to the submission made by the GAP Conference and to the submissions made by each other.

10. These organisations jointly request that Parliament ensures that the rights of women as this pertains to local elections and the active and meaningful participation of women, be protected and facilitated by the law of the country.