Electoral Amendment Act, 2023

Origin The South African Electoral Amendment Bill was first introduced in 2020, following concerns about the country's electoral system, particularly regarding the representation of smaller political parties as well as independent candidates. The bill was drafted in response to a 2019 Constitutional Court judgment, which declared certain aspects of the Electoral Act unconstitutional. The bill aims to address these issues and align the electoral laws with the country's Constitution. On April 17, 2023, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, signed the bill into law. Objectives The South African Electoral Amendment Bill seeks to allow independent candidates to contest the national and provincial elections, introduce a more proportional representation system, enhance the independence and impartiality of the Electoral Commission, and improve the transparency and accountability of political party funding. It also seeks at strengthen electoral integrity and prevent fraud. The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel's final report was tabled in Parliament on 18 September 2025. == Formation ==

, Cyril Ramaphosa, signed the bill in 2023 The bill was formed through a collaborative process involving the South African Parliament, political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens. The process included public hearings and consultations to gather input and feedback, expert analysis and research on electoral systems and best practices, drafting and refinement of the bill's provisions and language, as well as debate and voting in Parliament to approve or reject the bill. == See also ==