Pretoria - South Africans have been urged to make their inputs on the Draft Electoral Amendment Bill, following its publication in the government gazette.
On April 17, Cabinet approved the publication of the Draft Electoral Amendment Bill 2013, introduced by Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor, for public comment.
On Tuesday, government published the Draft Electoral Amendment Bill 2013 in the government gazette. The Electoral Act will be amended should the bill be approved by Parliament.
The Draft Electoral Amendment Bill 2013 seeks to introduce a provision in the electoral laws to allow South Africans abroad and prisoners the right to vote.
Those South Africans who are abroad and registered to vote will only be allowed to cast their votes for the National Assembly.
The Bill also proposes the introduction of special votes, prior to Election Day, for provincial legislatures, for those South Africans who cannot vote in their voting station as a result of:
- Their physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy;
- Being on national duty as a member of the security forces in connection with elections;
- Intended absence from the country, and
- Absence from their voting district because they are serving as officers of the elections.
Comments are invited from now until May 22.
Written submission can also be sent to the Home Affairs Chief Directorate: Legal Services for the attention of Adv. Tsietsi Sebelemetja at P/Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001; fax 0865 144 267/086 576 9025 or 082-907-1831. - SAnews.gov.za
