South Africa’s democracy thrives on informed citizens and open debate. But a new proposal threatens to silence vital sources of public information. The Draft Electoral Laws Amendment Bill currently open for public input seeks to create a Polling Ombud—a new body with sweeping powers to control, restrict, and punish the publication of political opinion polls and exit polls and the regulation of who may do polling in the first place.
This bill is not about transparency. It’s about control. It gives government-appointed officials the power to decide who can conduct polls, when results can be released, and what information can be shared with the public.
Join Free SA in calling on Parliament to reject this attempt to suppress public knowledge and free expression. We must protect the public’s right to access political data and challenge government attempts to censor information ahead of elections.
Submit your comment now.
Key concerns with the bill
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