Parliament, Tuesday, 21 June 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs today continued its consideration of the Electoral Amendment Bill and received presentations from the Parliamentary Legal Services, the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser and the Department of Home Affairs. The committee is convinced that it is making steady headway in reaching a consensus on legislation that is both fair and representative.
The committee is of the view that the inputs made today have been invaluable in addressing some of the more technical issues, including the calculation of seats, definition of terms, as well as requirements for candidates to stand for elections. The committee will continue to deliberate on the Bill with the intention of arriving at a final product that is reflective of the spirit of the Constitutional Court judgement.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomes the six-month extension the Constitutional Court gave Parliament to enable the legislature to process the Bill thoroughly. The committee has taken a decision to work throughout the recess period to ensure that it enables Parliament to deliver a Bill worth considering by the President.
The committee remains of the view that the attitude it has taken of a thorough and meticulous approach that is anchored to extensive public consultation was the correct tactic, primarily because the amendment of this Act has a direct bearing on the credibility of South Africa’s democracy.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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