In the lead-up to South Africa's upcoming elections, there has been a notable change in the voting process: the introduction of a three-ballot system.
To shed light on this development and its implications, we spoke with Kate Bapela, spokesperson for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Traditionally, South African voters were accustomed to casting their ballots using two papers – one for political parties and the other for independent candidates.
However, this year marks a significant departure as voters will now be presented with a third ballot paper, distinguished by its pink hue.
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According to Kate, the rationale behind the three-ballot system lies in the inclusion of independent candidates at both the national and provincial levels – a first in South Africa's electoral history.
She explains that the blue ballot paper remains reserved for political parties, securing seats in the parliament, while the orange ballot facilitates the entry of independent candidates into the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the newly introduced pink ballot paper pertains to provincial legislatures, accommodating representatives from both political parties and independent candidates across the country's nine provinces.
Kate underscores the historic nature of this electoral shift, emphasizing that it reflects a fundamental change in South Africa's political landscape.
"From a law point of view, we have never had independent candidates contesting the national and provincial elections," she states.
"It's the first time that we have independent candidates."
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Indeed, the inclusion of independent candidates marks a departure from the traditional dominance of political parties in South Africa's legislative bodies.
Kate highlights that while the National Assembly has historically been exclusively represented by political parties, the upcoming elections will witness the unprecedented entry of independent voices into this arena.
The decision to implement a three-ballot system underscores the IEC's commitment to fostering inclusivity and broadening representation within South Africa's democratic framework.
Kate urges voters to familiarise themselves with the new voting process and emphasizes the importance of exercising their democratic rights.
