Abstract

South Africa passed the Electoral Amendment Act (1 of 2023) in April 2023. This act enabled independent candidates to contest national and provincial elections. The number of women in electoral office in South Africa has increased exponentially from 29% (NA) in 1994 to 36% (NA) in 2019. Whereas the seats at the NCOP moved from 31.5% in 1994 and 46% in 2019. The number of women contesting as independent candidate was low in 2024. Equally, the number of women candidates on party lists for both National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces was below 40%. This study evaluates the Electoral Amendment Act (1 of 2023) and the challenge it poses to Women representation in electoral office in South Africa. The author argues that the Act does not support or favour the increase of women in electoral office.

Keywords: Electoral Amendment Act, Women representation, Elections, Gender, Electoral office