Letter to the Editor : Vacuum in Electoral Law

Steve Swart MP - ACDP

Thursday, 27 June 2002


I refer to your article, “Vacuum in electoral law may sink IFP and DA quest for snap poll – Slabbert” in the Cape Times on the 26th of June 2002.

The article correctly reflects that the head of the Electoral Task Team, Dr Van Zyl Slabbert did not want to comment on the “crossing-the-floor” legislation (in view if the pending Constitutional Court Hearing). Dr Van Zyl Slabbert did however in reply to a question by me regarding the “crossing the floor,” comment that there is a great deal of public confusion and debate about this. He also alluded to a questionnaire which the Task Team will be circulating, which is aimed to “give an indication of what the voters think on this issue, depending in the type of electoral system adopted.”

The ACDP is on record as having opposed the “crossing-the-floor” legislation.

The ACDP accordingly calls on all voters to obtain a copy of his questionnaire from the Electoral Task Team when it becomes available, and to indicate their acceptance or rejection of the concept of “crossing-the-floor”, as well as their preferred electoral model.


Steve Swart ACDP MP,
and member of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee