Inclusive Ward Delimitation in South Africa – Analysing Critical Issues

ABSTRACT

Ward delimitation does not only affect registered voters but also the entire society. In making use of registered voters to delimit wards it is assumed that registered voters are true representation of the population as the only legitimate stakeholders. This assumption is flawed in many ways. Arguably, ward delimitation using voter equities is not only partisan but also discriminatory. Comparative countries’ case studies were employed to analyse ward delimitation and its implications. Two findings were critical; one, the use of electoral voters roll in elections and ward delimitation is exclusive and has potential to undermine participatory democracy. Secondly, delimitation of wards linked to five years of electoral cycle is short-lived and has potential intended and unintended consequences. It is for this reason that electoral reforms that deepen participatory democracy and stable decennial ward delimitation system are recommended.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 Seminal Active Dialogue workshop titled ‘Advancing local democracy and promoting democratic and accountable government – the need for inclusive ward delimitation’ took place at the Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa on March 5, 2019,

2 http://www.palwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/WHERE-WE-STAND-On-Redistricting-Reform.pdf Accessed on 3 April 2019

3 http://www.publicmapping.org/what-is-redistricting Accessed on 4 April 2019

4 http://redistricting.lls.edu/what.php Accessed on 4 April 2019

5 http://www.publicmapping.org/what-is-redistricting Accessed on 4 April 2019

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the financial support provided by key project of humanities and social science of Anhui provincial education department 2014 (sk2014a417), and soft scientific research project of Anhui province scientific office (1502052069).