‘Force all parties to commit to expeditious electoral reform’

Sir
Our electoral system is dangerously pot-holed.
The danger of accidents, therefore, is very real. When the storm really gathers, the accidents will be many and life threatening too. COPE is not attempting to score any points. From 2008 we made it clear in our manifesto that the unfinished work of crafting a proper electoral system had to be taken in hand. The 22 year deferral on this project has worked wonders for the political elite. The delay, however, is beginning to have unwelcome consequences in society at large. COPE has been pointing out that the tide of insurgency is swelling. Everyone can see that. Therefore, what happened on Thursday in Port Elizabeth’s Kwazakhele township is an insistent wake-up call to all of South Africa that has to be heeded.
Very soon the chaos will spread from the township to the beaches. The din for electoral reform should rise to a crescendo to prevent insurgency from becoming an insurrection. Yesterday, it was a local businessman who was robbed and attacked. Yesterday, also, it was an ANC member who escaped a mob throwing stones at her car. Tomorrow it could be any one of us facing any number of dangers. Insurgent mobs will not be quelled by any force. The electoral status quo has to change. Societal demand for electoral reform is what has to occur very quickly. COPE urges every voter to use his / her vote to demand electoral reform before it is too late. Disgruntled communities are using arson, burning tyres, stones and guns to express their ire. For our own good, we must feel compelled to take up the issue of electoral reform as vigorously as we can. Political parties must be asked to pronounce on this matter clearly and unequivocally before the elections of August.
The media can help enormously in this regard. We need a new electoral system in place for the general elections of 2019.
Dennis Bloem, COPE