election update PO Box 740 Auckland Park 2006 South Africa T +27 11 482 54 95
[email protected] http://www.eisa.org.za electoral process and in that way promotes political South Africa 2009 #1 dialogue among key actors, including civil society organisations, political parties, the election management body and monitors and observers. The overall goal of the Election Update project is to TABLE of CONTENTS provide useful information on elections regarding numerous issues emanating from the 2009 general elections in South Editorial Africa. The Update provides an in-depth insight into the election processes and gives an account of the extent to Analytic coverage which democracy in South Africa has taken root after The workings of the South African fifteen years of political transition and nation building. electoral system 3 This project is an attempt to take stock of how what has The political environment of Election 2009 9 happened over the last decade of democracy in South An historical overview of the South Africa is going to be reflected and/or impact on the 2009 African democratic transition since elections. The specific objectives of Election Update 2009 1994 16 include the following: Provincial coverage Eastern Cape 21 • To contribute to voter education efforts that are Free State 25 Limpopo 27 aimed at promoting an informed choice by the electorate; KwaZulu-Natal 29 • To promote national dialogue on elections and in the Mpumalanga 34 process inculcate a culture of political tolerance; and Northern Cape 40 • To influence policy debates and electoral reform Western Cape 44 Gauteng 47 efforts through published material.