a brief history of democratic elections in post-Apartheid South Africa as well as the relevant laws and frameworks governing the conduct of elections in South Africa
o Include national legislative and regulatory frameworks as well as include regional and international frameworks governing the conduct of democratic elections that are relevant to South Africa (that is, relevant frameworks at Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Union, United Nations (UN), etc.)
After the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections in which all adult South Africans, regardless of race, were allowed to vote. The African National Congress (ANC), under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, won a majority of the votes and Mandela became the country's first black president.
The democratic elections in South Africa are governed by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which guarantees the right to vote and the right to participate in free and fair elections. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is responsible for overseeing the electoral process in the country, ensuring that elections are free and fair.
The Electoral Commission Act of 1996 establishes the IEC and outlines its functions and powers. The Electoral Act of 1998 provides the legal framework for conducting elections in South Africa, including voter registration, campaigning, and polling procedures.
In addition to national legislation, South Africa is also bound by regional and international frameworks governing the conduct of democratic elections. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has established guidelines for the conduct of elections in its member states, which South Africa is a part of. The African Union (AU) has also adopted principles and guidelines for democratic elections in Africa, which South Africa adheres to.
Furthermore, South Africa is a signatory to various international treaties and agreements concerning human rights and democratic governance, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These international frameworks guide the conduct of elections in South Africa and ensure that they are in line with international standards of democracy and human rights.