MEDIA STATEMENT: HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WELCOMES PROGRESS ON APPOINTMENT OF ELECTORAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ELECTORAL REFORM

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has welcomed a progress report from the Minister on Home Affairs on the appointment of an Advisory Committee as required by the Electoral Amendment Act. The committee received a progress report on implementation of recommendations contained in the State Capture Report.

Following the additional clauses to the Bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the committee concurred with the NCOP’s additions especially with the clause that emphasised comprehensive Electoral System reform. The committee was informed by the Department of Home Affairs that it is now at a juncture where it is recommending names for appointment to the Advisory Committee.

As part of its work, the Advisory Committee will consider a wide range of issues, including the suitability of direct election of a president and the viability of constituency based electoral system. The committee will consider the names when the department tables the lists in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the committee was informed that the consequential amendments to various legislation emanating from the adoption of the Electoral Amendment Act of 2003 will in due cause be considered by Cabinet before tabling in Parliament. The committee awaits its turn in the broader process to consider the consequential amendments especially considering the upcoming national and provincial elections.

Source: Parliament of South Africa