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A joint meeting of three parliamentary committees on Tuesday called for careful consideration of electoral reform options for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures to ensure a credible, balanced approach.

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the Select Committee on Security and Justice and the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) received a briefing from the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP) on its report. The panel was established in May 2024 under the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023 to conduct a comprehensive review of the country’s electoral system and to provide recommendations for potential reforms that could improve democratic processes.

Briefing the joint meeting, the panel outlined majority and minority views assessed against principles including inclusivity, fairness, accountability and transparency. Members heard that the panel’s work included written submissions, public consultations across provinces, stakeholder engagements and extensive research.

The committees welcomed the briefings and noted that Parliament must carefully consider the practical, legal, financial and constitutional implications of the options before it. They noted that electoral reform is complex and requires careful balancing.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, who chaired the joint meeting, said the committees will treat the report as one consolidated report. Mr Chabane said the report provides Parliament with a platform to engage properly with the options presented. He said that key stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission and the Demarcation Board, should be formally requested to comment on the options, as any reform will directly affect their work.

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, welcomed the frankness of the report, particularly its reflections on public concerns about the quality and accountability of public representation. She noted that the views presented point to the need for reform.

Ms Mananiso said Parliament must ensure that the process is handled diligently and without compromising democratic principles. “The country needs an electoral system that works for the people, not only for political parties,” she said. Ms Mananiso also proposed that a colloquium be convened to allow further engagement on the presentations, simulations, costs and timelines, including the work required ahead of the 2029 elections.

Providing input on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on COGTA, the Chairperson, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said Parliament must use these inputs to synthesise a reformed electoral system that meaningfully responds to voters' concerns. Dr Mkhize said the presentations made it clear that some changes to the current electoral system are necessary. He said Parliament must now decide how to manage the next phase of the process, including technical guidance, further research where necessary and formal input from stakeholders, including the Demarcation Board.

“We need to decide what we think is best, what will last and what will be stable for a long time,” said Dr Mkhize. “There must also be comprehensive voter education so that people understand the system that is ultimately adopted. The aim is to build a system that strengthens public trust,” he said.

Issued By The Parliamentary Communication Services On Behalf Of The Chairpersons Of The Portfolio Committees On Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane And Cooperative Governance And Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize And The Chairperson Of The Select Committee On Justice And Security, Ms Jane Mananiso.