South Africa’s National Assembly passed amendments to the nation’s electoral laws, including changes to how government funding for political parties is allocated, a move that could trigger court challenges and the delay of the 29 May voting date — although a legal expert considers that unlikely.
An increased share will go to the biggest ones, meaning the ruling African National Congress will be the main beneficiary while smaller rivals will lose out. “We will wait for the NCOP to adopt it, then we will approach the president not to sign it,” Corne Mulder, the chief whip for the opposition Freedom Front Plus, said by text message.
“We don’t want a delay to the elections, but it looks like we will have no choice,” said Liezl van der Merwe, the IFP’s chief whip.