Electoral Amendment Act, Act 73 of 1998 in South Africa (taking effect 16 October 1998) to regulate elections of the National Assembly, the provincial legislatures and municipal councils; and to provide for related matters. The Act provides for the right of South African citizens to vote by registering, to be recorded on a voters roll, enabling them to vote at elections in their voting districts. It outlines the process in which voters choose parties during elections and that parties submit a list of candidates to fill seats won.
Content of the Act
The following is a brief description of the sections of the Electoral Act:
Chapter 1 - Interpretation, Application and Administration
Section 1
Defines the meanings of certain common words used throughout the act. Section 2 Defines how anyone should interpret the Act. Section 3 Defines that the Act applies to elections in the National Assembly, provincial legislatures, municipalities, and by-elections. Section 4 Defines that the Act is administered by the Electoral Commission.
Chapter 2 - Registration of Voters' and Voter' Roll
Section 5
Defines the need for a common voters roll administered by a Chief Electoral Officer. Section 6 Defines that all South African citizens with an identity document may apply. Section 7 Defines how a voter applies and their resident voting district. Section 8 Defines that registration on the voters roll takes place when the Chief Electoral Officer is satisfied with the application and defines the conditions when they won't register a person. Section 9 Defines how to change the registration details on a voters' roll when a person's voting district changes. Section 10 Defines how to deregister a voter and their removal from the voters' roll. Section 11 Define how amendments to voters’ roll are made by the chief electoral officer if they are not satisfied with the voter's details when incorrect or have changed or fail to meet the qualification rules. Section 12 Defines how the chief electoral officer notifies a voter when an application to join the voters roll is refused or a change of name or residence is refused, when deregistered or when amendments to the roll are made by the officer themselves. Section 13 Defines how voters' appeal against decisions and steps taken by the chief electoral officer in relation to sections 12 and sections 8, 9 and 11. Section 14 Defines how the Electoral Commission conducts a general registration of voters, cut-off dates to enrol, notifications in terms of section 12 and appeals as set out in section 13. The ability to view one's registration and where and how to object to details on the roll as described in section 15. And finally publish the voters' roll on completion. Section 15 Defines how a person makes objections to the voters roll of their name or others on the roll and how the Electoral Commission investigates the matter and the length of time they have to finalise the objection. Section 16 Defines how, when and where the completed voters' roll is available for viewing and the ability to purchase the voters roll or an extract.