Media Statement: Home Affairs Committee Receives Initial Briefing on Filling of Electoral Commission Vacancy

Press Releases

Parliament, Tuesday, 10 May 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs today received the initial briefing on a process undertaken to fill a vacancy within the Electoral Commission, as per Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996 (Act 51 of 1996) and has resolved to give Members of Parliament time to consider the report from the Chief Justice. The committee will schedule a date to deliberate and recommend a candidate to the National Assembly, which will then recommend a candidate for the President to appoint.

The process was initiated as a result of the expiry of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Mr Glen Mashinini’s, term of office. The Chief Justice’s report indicated that in accordance with Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, an invitation for candidates to submit applications was advertised and 48 applications were received. The panel shortlisted 12 candidates, of which three withdrew their applications and they interviewed nine candidates.

As per Section 6 (4) of the Act, the panel has submitted the following eight candidates for consideration by the committee:

  1. Mr J Bekebeke
  2. Adv G C Chaplog-Louw
  3. Adv E N Lambani
  4. Ms N Maharaj
  5. Mr V G Mashinini
  6. Dr T N Mbete
  7. Mr M W Mbomvu
  8. Mr MW Thango
  9. Mr G M White


Meanwhile, the committee received a comprehensive report on the submissions made during the public participation process on the Electoral Amendment Bill 1 of 2022. This is part of the thorough process the committee is undertaking to process the Bill. The committee resolved that there is a need to engage with the legal services unit within Parliament to further clarify the legal and constitutional matters around the Bill. This is to ensure that the Bill presented to the National Assembly for consideration is strong and passes constitutional muster.

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