Electoral reform consultation panel notes growing calls for constituency-based voting

JOHANNESBURG - The electoral reform consultation panel said there were growing calls for constituency-based voting in the country.

The panel recently published all 348 submissions it received from a number of political and civil organisations to reform the country’s electoral systems.

In its discussion papers, the panel said that one of the group themes it observed was voters wanting more direct participation in who it sends to Parliament and provincial legislatures.

Panel spokesperson, Mmatsie Mookie, said that they had received submissions calling for the establishment of a mechanism that would allow voters to recall poor-performing public representatives.

"Some were saying because once people are appointed to Parliament they cease reporting to us and we would like to play a role and the question is can an electoral system remove a member of Parliament, what type of recall mechanisms are there because currently people can [only] be recalled through their parties."