Civil Society Electoral Reform Indaba

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) attended the Electoral Reform Indaba, that was hosted by Defend Our Democracy, My Vote Counts, Rivonia Circle, CASAC and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. A total of 130 civil society organisations attended the gathering at the Braamfontein Recreation Centre in Johannesburg.

Discussions focussed on:

• Options for electoral reform, now and in the future

• The strategy with regard to the current electoral reform processes under discussion in Parliament

• The state of readiness for the 2024 election

What was clear from the discussions was that civil society was not in support of the current Bill before Parliament, in that it does not bring about fundamental electoral reform. It is a minimalistic approach aimed only at accommodating the Constitutional Court judgement requiring Parliament to provide for independent candidates to participate in provincial and national elections. Civil society expect far more reform. Reform that improves accountability, representivity and a constituency-based system that will bring elected public representatives closer to the electorate.

The Indaba resolved to embark on a broad public mobilisation campaign to demand such reforms in time for the 2024 national election.