[CALL FOR NOMINATIONS]: Members of Electoral Commission and the role of the Chief Justice

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: MEMBERS OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE

Ahead of previous appointment processes for the Chief Justice, Judges Matter highlighted that one of the Chief Justice’s many roles is to convene the panel responsible for selecting commissioners on the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), in terms of section 3 of the Electoral Commission Act of 1996. [Read more]

In 2025, three of the five commissioners on the IEC will be at the end of their seven-year terms. One of these vacancies must be filled by a High Court judge.

That means the Chief Justice, assisted by the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ), must convene a panel comprised of members drawn from Chapter 9 institutions including:

• a commissioner from the SA Human Rights Commission,
• a commissioner from the Commission on Gender Equality, and
• the Public Protector.

The panel must interview candidates, scrutinising the candidates’ suitability, qualifications and experience – including their South African citizenship and ensuring they do not hold a high political profile.

The panel will then submit a list of no fewer than eight candidates to the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee in Parliament. The Home Affairs Committee will then consider these names and table them before a plenary session of the National Assembly, which must, by majority vote, submit the final three names to be appointed by the President to the IEC.

The Office of the Chief Justice has gazetted a call for nominations to fill the IEC vacancies. The closing date for nominations is 16 May 2025.

Members of the Commission are appointed by the President for a term of seven years. Nominees must indicate their availability to serve full-time or part time.

Each candidate’s nomination(s), accompanied by a: motivation of suitability, if any, candidate’s written consent, copy of RSA identity document and comprehensive curriculum vitae, must be submitted on or before 16 May 2025 to: The Office of the Chief Justice, Private Bag X10, Marshalltown, 2107 or hand delivered at 188, 14th Road, Noordwyk, Midrand, for attention: Ms Mbali Songca / Ms Dimakatso Ramaisa.

Candidates are also encouraged to submit their nominations via email to MSongca@judiciary.org.za, DiRamaisa@judiciary.org.za or TPhaahlamohlaka@judiciary.org.za.

The interviews will be chaired by the Chief Justice at a date to be announced.

See the call for nominations here.