Taking “the people shall govern” ideology seriously, Build One South Africa (Bosa) has launched two petitions in a bid for the public to directly elect its president and MPs.
The petitions are Bosa’s alternative methods to change the country’s electoral system, where government officials are elected on the basis of their affiliations to a political party.
Bosa’s acting spokesperson, Roger Solomons, explained an electoral reform had been pending for four years following the judgment of the Constitutional Court’s “New Nation Movement NPC (and others) vs President of the Republic of South Africa” case in 2020.
The Concourt ruled in favour for independent candidates to contest in the national and provincial elections. The Apex court found the Electoral Act’s policy to elect leaders through political party membership was unconstitutional.
“The court gave Parliament 24 hours from the date of the order to remedy this defect in the Electoral Act. This means that an amendment to the Electoral Act needs to be effected by June 2022,” said the Helen Suzman Foundation.
The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP) has asked written submissions for its consideration outlining valid reasons to change the country’s electoral system. The deadline is month end, September 30.
Solomons noted Bosa’s submissions will argue “a constituency-based system that allows for MPs to be directly elected – and held directly accountable – by citizens instead of political parties; and for the direct election of the president of the Republic in a presidential election”.
He said Bosa had been long planning to challenge the electoral system, having believed a direct appointment of MPs and the president by the public would seize the end of corruption in government.
“A new law was passed in a scurry last year, with a vital clause committing to review the law after the 2024 elections. A new electoral system that improves accountability, attracts expertise and talent, and improves governance is urgently required if South Africa is to thrive and prosper,” said Solomons.
Solomons said the Zondo Commission Report advocates for an electoral reform. In the report, Part VI Vol. 4 makes recommendations to change the ways South Africa’s MPs and president are elected.
The report also recommends the president’s direct election. This would mean the public holds the prerogative to appoint its desired president, ensuring a competent and ethical person is elected to head government.
“The report recommends a constituency-based system whereby MPs are directly elected by their constituency. This would greatly enhance clean governance and accountability as MPs would derive their power and mandate from the people, not a political party. This has been the recommendation of countless commissions and reports over the last two decades,” said Solomons.
He urged the public to sign the petitions for swift changes in the electoral system.
“It will take the voice of the people to apply the requisite pressure, as political parties have been dragging their feet over the past four years in an attempt to avoid making the wide-reaching changes needed.
“Bosa is committed to meaningful and substantive electoral reform to change the current broken system. We strongly advocate for full electoral reform, encompassing a constituency-based system whereby we the people can directly choose our leaders instead of political parties imposing their politicians on us,” said Solomons.
He added citizens deserved a platform to directly appoint their representatives in Parliament and the president.
The Star