Inclusive Society Institute presents its electoral reform proposals to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel

The Inclusive Society Institute (ISI) attended and presented its electoral reform proposals to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP) on Wednesday, 4 December 2024. The ERCP public consultations was held at the Imbizo Centre in Parliament.

In short, the ISI is proposing a Multi-Member Constituency system, where between 3 and 7 MPs are elected in 69 Constituencies, using the District municipality borders as the basis for the constituencies. In metro areas the sub-council borders will be the basis therefor. The proportional system will remain a feature under the ISI proposal, with 300 members elected from the MMCs, and 100 members from a compensatory list used to establish overall proportionality. To simplify the electoral process, only two ballots (one for national, and one for provincial) will be required.

The ISI cautioned against retaining the current pure PR system and a single-seat constituency system. The current system has proved that MPs are not accountable to the electorate – hardly anyone knows who their local MPs are – and under a single-seat constituency system there is a real danger of diversity being undermined.

Click here for the full ISI electoral reform proposal.