OUTA wants a critical review of the electoral system to strengthen democracy

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has submitted a detailed report to the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP) aimed at contributing to the discourse around South Africa’s electoral system for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. OUTA’s submission, drawing on over two decades of research and engagement, urges the ERCP to critically review past electoral reform efforts and incorporate civil society input to design a fair, transparent, and accountable system that serves all South Africans.

Reflecting on significant reports – such as the 2003 Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Electoral Task Team (ETT) Report, the 2021 Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) Report, and the 2022 Mbete Report – OUTA highlights ongoing concerns about accountability, constituency representation, and the role of political parties. These issues have dominated public debate, with citizens increasingly questioning whether the current system meets the needs of the nation, 30 years into democracy.

"While the current system has brought some stability, it has also shown its limitations, especially when it comes to accountability and citizen engagement," says Dr Rachel Fischer, OUTA's Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager. "We are advocating for a system that prioritises the voices of the people, ensures MPs are accountable to their constituencies, and promotes balanced, transparent representation across all levels of government."

Key recommendations from OUTA's submission include:

• Fostering active citizen engagement to build a vibrant and responsive civil society.

• Ensuring MPs’ accountability to their constituencies, rather than party directives, to strengthen democratic oversight.

• Enhancing the role of local community representatives to improve public service delivery and address citizens' needs directly.

OUTA also raised concerns over the implementation of the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023, emphasising the importance of educating the public on recent changes and addressing the structural disadvantages faced by independent candidates. The organisation stressed that the unbiased and expert-led ERCP is critical for meaningful electoral reform, with significant weight given to public and civil society input.

"Electoral reform is a pivotal moment for South Africa," said Fischer. "We must seize this opportunity to create a system that not only represents the diversity of our people but also restores trust in the democratic process by making MPs directly accountable to the communities they serve."

OUTA remains committed to driving public awareness and engagement on electoral reform and urges the ERCP to carefully consider the lessons from past panels and reports, as well as the voices of all South Africans, in shaping the future of the country’s electoral system.

More information

A soundclip with comment by Dr Rachel Fischer, OUTA's Parliamentary Engagement and Research Manager, is here.

OUTA's submission, Achieving meaningful electoral reform: Comprehensive report for the electoral reform consultation panel, is here.

More on OUTA's work on electoral reform is here.