In June 2020, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled the electoral act unconstitutional, for failing to permit individuals to run for a seat in the national or provincial legislatures. The Democracy and Civic Engagement Unit at the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, is hosting a discussion on the judgment and its implications for South African politics. The discussion aims to unpack the ruling, the actors it implicates and considers what the new electoral act could look like taking into account the Court’s directives.
Webinar
Tuesday 30 June 2020
Webinar (Zoom)
10:00 GMT / 11:00 WAT / 12:00 SAST / 13:00 EAT
Theme: Elections in South Africa: Will individual candidacy change the game?
Moderator: Thomas White
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Panelists:
- Prof Ivor Sarakinsky
Wits Graduate School of Governance - Dr Sithembile Mbete
Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria - Mr Bulelani Mkhohliswa
New Nation Movement - Ms Olufunto Akinduro
International IDEA
Background
In June 2020, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled the electoral act unconstitutional, for failing to permit individuals to run for a seat in the national or provincial legislatures. No doubt, the Court’s ruling will have significant implications for South African politics – especially for the upcoming national elections slated for 2024. For individuals who have been left outside of party politics, the Constitutional Court’s new ruling represents an opportunity to engage with the system, launch an election campaign of their own, and vie for a seat in the legislature. For voters, apathetic ones especially, the court’s ruling will expand the pool of candidates offering them more choices at the ballot box. In June 2020, South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled the electoral act unconstitutional, for failing to permit individuals to run for a seat in the national or provincial legislatures. No doubt, the Court’s ruling will have significant implications for South African politics – especially for the upcoming national elections slated for 2024. For individuals who have been left outside of party politics, the Constitutional Court’s new ruling represents an opportunity to engage with the system, launch an election campaign of their own, and vie for a seat in the legislature. For voters, apathetic ones especially, the court’s ruling will expand the pool of candidates offering them more choices at the ballot box.
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0) 12 420 4199
Fax: +27 (0) 86 580 5743
bonolo.makgale@up.ac.za
