Cape Town – The Constitutional Court has upheld the 200/200 seat split in the Electoral Amendment Act for the National Assembly, rejecting a challenge by the Independent Candidates Association (ICA) seeking to increase the number of seats for independent candidates from 200 to 350 in the upcoming general elections.
The court, in a unanimous decision, said that the ICA failed to prove the irrationality of the 200/200 seat split, disagreeing with the argument that votes for independent candidates carry less weight than those for political parties.
The court found no infringement of the Bill of Rights and dismissed the application without ordering costs.
[BREAKING NEWS] The Constitutional Court finds the Electoral Amendment Act constitutional. Justice Nonkosi Mhlantla says the applicant was not able to prove that the split of seats in the national assembly is irrational.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/mtHk5MF23a
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 4, 2023
The ICA had objected to the split between regional and compensatory seats, arguing that it was unfair and unconstitutional, as independent candidates could only stand for regional seats, making it difficult to meet proportional representation requirements.
The ICA contended that the formula for calculating votes favored political parties over independent candidates, describing it as “lopsided” and a breach of the right to free and fair elections and the right to stand for public office.
[WATCH] Justice Nonkosi Mhlantla says the allocation or splitting of national assembly seats is for Parliament to determine. The Constitutional Court is delivering the judgment on the legitimacy of the Electoral Amendment Act.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/RPKYF9Uc7L
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 4, 2023
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