Electoral management for a maturing democracy: A look at the contribution of the South African Electoral Commission

Abstract

This article seeks to provide a reliable indication of the contribution of the Electoral Commission of South Africa as an example of an election management body (EMB) in cultivating a mature democracy in South Africa. The measure of a maturing democracy is operationalised by applying the concept of the quality of democracy combined with the ideal role of elections in democracies. The discussion then focused on the EMB’s institutional framework (constitutional and legislative), as well as on perceptions of its performance and on its reputation as a democratic agent, approached from a social constructionist perspective. The main conclusion is that the commission has and continues to make a significant contribution to South Africa’s maturing democracy, but that its contribution is tempered by a decline in the public’s trust–possibly a reflection of the decline in South Africans’ trust in democracy in general.