South Africa: Constitutional Assembly Resources

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION HELD ON 10 MAY 1993 AT 16H00 AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE

PRESENT: Adv L Laubscher

Mr S K Ndlovu

Mr R B Rosenthal

Ms M Cilliers (Minutes)

APOLOGIES: Prof D Davis

1. General

1.1 The members requested that the minutes be very brief - two pages at most.

1.2 A general discussion was held on the Committee Members' interpretation of the Terms of Reference.

1.3 It was agreed that the Committee Members will do the bulk of their work at home and process it at the office which has been made available at the World Trade Centre.

1.4 It was requested that the following equipment be placed in the Committee's

office:

* A wordprocessor which preferably takes "stiffy" disks.

* A dictaphone playback machine which takes mini tapes.

1.5 The Committee requested:

* The Electoral Act, No 45 of 1979.

* Election Regulations published in the Government Gazette.

* Legislation which may have been drafted by the KwaZulu Government.

* Any legislation from overseas countries eg USA and Britain.

* Submissions by parties of the MultiParty Process eg draft legislation etc.

1.6 It was noted that Mr Ndlovu will not be able to attend meetings this week due to his commitment as a member of the SABC Panel.

2. Discussion with Members of the Planning Committee

Messrs M Maharaj and S van der Merwe spent time with the Committee.

2.1 The Committee was informed of the time frames:

Initial written submissions to be handed in to the Planning Committee on Thursday 13 May 1993 at 17h00.

Should this not be possible the framework of intended submissions (heads of argument) to be handed in on Thursday 13 May 1993 at 17h00.

Detailed submissions to be handed in to the Planning Committee no later than Wednesday 19 May 1993 at 12h00.

2.2 It was noted that the Technical Committee has been formed to facilitate discussion in creating a body which will be called the Independent Electoral Commission. No negotiation will take place in this Committee.

2.3 The Terms of Reference were discussed.

2.3.1 A few suggestions were made to the members present of how to approach their task and which issues to emphasise.

2.3.2 It was noted that the brief does not include the issue of Voter Education.

2.4 It was agreed that the work of the Technical Committee is a dynamic process and amendments can be made later to any reports which have already been submitted.

3. Next Meeting

Thursday 13 May 1993 at 09h00.

4. Closure

The meeting closed at 18h00.