ActionSA has proposed that South Africa adopt a mixed member proportional (MMP) system, arguing that unaccountable, unethical and underperforming public representatives “beholden only to their political parties' bosses” are now the greatest challenge facing legislators.

ActionSA has made an official submission to the Electoral Review Consultation Panel proposing an alternative electoral model for South Africa in the hopes that it will increase voter turnout, enhance the quality of public representatives, and introduce lasting accountability.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont points out that for 30 years, South Africa has used a pure proportional representation system based on the national project of nation-building in 1994 that necessitated inclusivity.

“Thirty years into our democracy our national project needs to move towards greater levels of accountability and raising the bar on the quality of public representatives,” said Beaumont.

He explained that in adopting the MMP system, every South Africans should automatically be registered to vote once they turn 18 and that voting should be compulsory.

“…making this change increases voter turnout around the world,” he said.

He points out that the move for compulsory voting is necessary as the party believes that elections are now being determined by a minority of eligible-age voters.

He explains that with the adoption of the MMP system, South Africans will also be able to vote directly for public representatives such as Mayors, Members of Provincial Legislatures, Premiers, Members of Parliament, Head of the National Prosecuting Authority, and State President.

“Three-hundred seats in the National Assembly should be decided by regional multi-member constituency elections, whilst the other 100 current seats will be decided through PR elections,” he explains.

South Africa must be demarcated into 60 geographic constituencies equal to the current districts (52) and metros (8), he adds.

Beaumont explains that voters will be provided with two ballots – one reflecting the list of candidates from each party in that constituency and a ballot of the parties contesting the national elections.

“…a number of candidates with the most votes will be declared elected to the National Assembly from each constituency equal to that constituency’s share of the 300 seats with the remaining 100 seats being filled by party lists to achieve overall proportionality,” he says.

The adoption would also require that local government elections be held concurrently with National and Provincial Elections.

ActionSA hopes to improve the calibre electoral candidates and end votes for political parties that chose the public representatives.

“When parties win or lose elections based on the quality of their candidates, we will raise the low bar on the standard of public representatives in South Africa. Of equal importance is the need for accountability which this model of electoral system will generate, allowing voters to have their own members of parliament who they can hold accountable for their record in Parliament and their performance,” he said.