A coalition of civil society organisations on Friday noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA) made no mention of clear plans for electoral reform and is urging Ramaphosa and Parliament to table the necessary Bills for consideration ahead of the 2029 national and provincial general election.

The organisations want to see improved accountability, an equal footing for parties and independent candidates, and more transparency.

“South Africans want a system where politicians answer to them first. Reforms that put voter accountability ahead of party patronage, are non‑partisan, and are a constitutional duty that will strengthen Parliament’s hand against corruption,” they said.

The coalition pointed out that the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel, created to advise on post‑2024 reform options in the form of a report, which was then expected to tabled by the Minister of Home Affairs in Parliament, had yet to produce a report.

“That report remains untabled, and SoNA omission deepens concern that reform will not be delivered in time for 2029. We, therefore, call on the President, Cabinet and Parliament to immediately announce a transparent, inclusive, time‑bound process to consider electoral reform and the tabling of any necessary Bills on a schedule that allows for demarcation and implementation ahead of 2029,” they said.

The organisations calling for electoral reform commitments includes One South Africa Movement, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, the Center for Civic and Democracy Education, Project Youth South Africa, the FW de Klerk Foundation, the Independent Candidate Association South Africa, SoWeVote, Project Vote SA, and South African Youth Affairs.