Honourable Deputy Speaker
Honourable Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba
Honourable members of the National Assembly
The right to vote by all eligible citizens was a major tenet of our struggle for freedom and stands as one of the cornerstones of this country’s democracy, now firmly entrenched in our constitution. This young democracy is proud to have held four successful national elections and as you know, we are currently preparing to have local government elections in 2011.
As a caring government, we believe strongly in the right of all citizens, including those who may be physically challenged, to use their vote to choose the leaders they want to have, govern this country. Therefore, when the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) identified certain aspects of the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act, 2000, which needed to be amended to cater for the needs of all citizens, we felt this needed to be addressed before the 2011 Local government elections. The proposed amendments contained in the Bill resulted from consultations convened by the IEC with various stakeholders, more particularly the political parties.
Honourable Deputy Speaker,
Let me briefly outline some of the proposals in the Bill, which aim to amend the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act, 2000:
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The election timetable - if the party omits certain documents, the Commission must notify the party in writing by no later than the relevant date and time specified in the election timetable;
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The Bill provides for the submission of an undertaking binding the party, its representatives, members and supporters to the Code, as well as the declaration that none of the candidates is disqualified from standing for elections.The Commission must remove from the party list the name of a candidate who is not registered as a voter on the municipality’s segment of the voters roll.The party must be informed of this.
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A party contesting elections in more than one municipality must deposit to the Commission Head Office by a bank guaranteed cheque the details of each municipality to which the deposits apply;
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Presiding officers will be given powers to re-demarcate the boundary of a voting station in order to ensure proper control and security at that voting station;
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If voting takes place in more than one room or separately enclosed area, two agents in respect of each room or area in a case of a party contesting an election, and one agent in a case of an independent ward candidate;
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Presiding officers will be empowered to assist voters with physical challenges, including those who are blind or unable to hear;
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Special votes would be allowed to those who are unable, on voting day, to cast their votes at the voting station or district at which he or she is registered; and
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To empower the Commission to apply to the Electoral Court for an extension of the period to determine and declare results of the election if unable to do so within the specified seven-day period.
These amendments will facilitate the efficient preparation for and management of the 2011 local government elections.
It is my hope that the proposed amendments will go a long way towards ensuring a smooth local government election in 2011.
I conclude by expressing my appreciation to the chair of the Portfolio Committee, the Honourable Ben Martins, and all other members of the Portfolio Committee for their guidance and support during these proposed amendments.
I thank you.
