Motsoaledi not ready to present new list of names to serve on Electoral Reform Panel
After being sent back to the drawing board by Parliament because it wasn't satisfied with the shortlist of nine candidates, Motsoaledi was back before the Home Affairs portfolio committee on Tuesday morning to provide an update.
FILE. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Picture: GCIS.
CAPE TOWN - Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said he is still not ready to present a new list of names to serve on an Electoral Reform Panel that will consider whether the country’s system needs an overhaul.
The panel will only have a year from the May election to conclude its work.
The minister was sent back to the drawing board by Parliament last week, because it wasn’t satisfied with the shortlist of nine candidates.
Motsoaledi was back before the Home Affairs portfolio committee on Tuesday morning to provide an update.
The establishment of an electoral reform panel as contained in the Electoral Amendment Act passed by Parliament in 2023, is a compromise position reached after lobby groups pushed for broader electoral reform and for a constituency-based system.
But Motsoaledi said he hasn’t been able to consult the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the nine candidates that should serve, following the reopening of nominations in December.
“We are really hoping it will be next week. We are left with only one step that is consultation. We can’t do away with it because it’s also in the act that we have to consult with the IEC.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Adrian Roos expressed concern about the time it is taking to establish this panel, and whether it will be done before the house rises.
The Home Affairs Department said all 32 nominations - seven of who are female and two under 35 years have been vetted, to ensure that they have no political affiliations.