OUTA has sought the permission of the court to join the case as an amicus curiae .
Advocate Stefanie Fick, OUTA's chief legal officer, said the current system emphasised party loyalty. "They exercise these rights – and, in particular, the right to make political choices – in the discharge of their parliamentary functions, both in their own right but also on behalf of the electorate that they represent."
"Independent candidates are more answerable to their voters as they face a real likelihood of being voted out if they fail to honour election promises. A system which allows for independent candidates will help mitigate the threats to accountability of the party list system," said Fick.Sections 18 and 19 relate to the right to freedom of association and the right to political choices, including the right to stand for public office.