The Constitutional Court does not consist of experts in political science. But in demanding a reorganisation of the national electoral system to accommodate independent candidates
(New Nation Movement NPC and others v the President of the RSA and Others), it has charged the political and legal class with a task whose successful completion will likely require the input of specialists in comparative electoral systems. Since I have a longstanding interest in this topic, I presume here to offer some thoughts.
Primarily I want to say two things. First, if the proposed change is to conform to constitutional requirements of proportionality, it will require adopting either a national version of the local government electoral system or a system of single transferable vote. But, second, this reform is going to be no panacea.