Elections in South Africa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Africa
Image:Za-coa.png This article is part of the series: Politics and government of South Africa

Constitution Bill of Rights Government President Thabo Mbeki Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Ministers Parliament Council of Provinces National Assembly Speaker Leader of the Opposition Tony Leon Judiciary Constitutional Court Supreme Court of Appeal High Court Magistrates Courts Elections Political parties Provinces Foreign relations
Other countries • Politics Portal view • talk • edit</div>

Elections in South Africa take place on national, provincial, and local levels. South Africa is a democratic but one party dominant state with the African National Congress in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power. A system of proportional representation, incorporating party lists, is in place which makes it possible for small parties to achieve representation in parliament.

The parliament has two chambers, and elects the president. The National Assembly has 400 members, elected for a five year term. The National Council of Provinces has 90 members, elected for a five year term by the provincial parliaments. The National Assembly and Provincial Councils are elected when General Elections are held.

Members to the local governing councils in the municipalities and mayors are elected in municipal elections.

1 History
2 Election results
- 2.1 General
- 2.2 Municipal
3 See also
4 References

[edit] History

After becoming a dominion of Great Britain in 1910 until the 1929 elections, only white men were allowed to vote. In 1930 white women received political franchise. In 1960 a referendum was held to decide whether to become a republic.

After the 1983 referendum, it was decided to create a Tricameral Parliament, giving limited political franchise to the Coloured and Indian population groups.

After the 1992 referendum, deciding to end apartheid, universal suffrage was implemented allowing people of all races to take part in the first democratic elections in 1994.

[edit] Election results

[edit] General

After becoming a dominion	1910	1915	1920
After becoming a dominion	1921	1924	1929
After women's suffrage	1933	1938	1943
After women's suffrage	1948	1953	1958
After becoming a republic	1961	1966	1970
After becoming a republic	1974	1977	1981
Tricameral parliament	1984	1987	1989
After universal suffrage	1994	1999	2004