THE newly formed Change Starts Now (CSN) political party, led by former banker and businessman Roger Jardine, has announced that it will not contest the upcoming provincial and national elections.
But it will be voting for political parties that share the same values as them.
This follows the recent decision by the Constitutional Court not to hear a challenge on Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) rules regarding new parties.
Some parties wanted the ConCourt to finalise how many signatures are needed for new parties to contest the elections, but the court said a ruling at this stage could cause disruption and uncertainty in preparations for the elections in May.
Change Starts Now said the ConCourt’s ruling and the barriers it imposes on newly established political parties means it and several other political parties face a prejudicial, logistical timetable to qualify for the ballot.
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Jardine said they have therefore taken a decision that, while they believe that it is essential to give voters as much encouragement to vote by providing them with a range of options, in the interests of increasing the chances of political change, they offer support to political parties who share their values and the aspirations that they believe voters are looking for.
“Our research and our engagements with South Africans tell us that while people are abandoning the ANC, a lot of political work is needed to unite South Africans behind a shared vison for the future of our country.
“Therefore, CSN will continue to work on, champion and advocate for the ideas in our Change Charter. We call on all South Africans to participate in the democratic process and to vote in these pivotal elections,” he said.
CSN was established in December 2023 and had recently launched its political manifesto in Kliptown Soweto.
