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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Elections, Constitutionalism and Political Stability in South Africa |
Author: | Nupen, Dren |
Year: | 2004 |
Periodical: | African Journal on Conflict Resolution |
Volume: | 4 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 119-143 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | South Africa |
Subjects: | constitutions electoral systems Politics and Government Law, Human Rights and Violence History and Exploration Ethnic and Race Relations |
External link: | https://www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/elections-constitutionalism-and-political-stability-in-south-africa/ |
Abstract: | The history of South Africa's electoral politics dates back to the mid-19th century. Historical familiarity with electoral procedures and the development of a strong party system helps to strengthen modern electoral politics. The National Party traces its origins to 1913, the ANC was established in 1912. During the 1960s the black trade union movement emerged. In his role of ANC's president, Nelson Mandela helped lead a multiparty negotiation process which resulted in the adoption in 1994 of a transitional constitution under which would be held South Africa's first fully democratic elections, under a system of proportional representation. Since then, South Africa has moved to a system in which the constitution has supreme authority. Since Thabo Mbeki's accession, the President's office has accumulated enormous functions and power. The public legitimacy of the electoral arrangements is evident in the absence of any disputes over their results. Acceptance by losing parties of electoral outcomes is partly attributable to the effectiveness of a conflict management system instituted in 1994. Electoral reform to enhance parliamentary accountability constitutes the main policy challenge today. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract] |