Independent candidates can be defined as individuals contesting for public office that are not appointed, endorsed or affiliated with any political party. They are typically individuals that were part of a political party but due to some grievance left, individuals that have never been part of politics that hope to bring about change within the political system or individuals that are passionate about a specific cause that they want to advance. Electoral legislation in South Africa allows for independent candidates to run for office at local government level. However, the law does not facilitate for independent candidates to contest election for provincial and national legislature. This matter has been brought on the national agenda through the courts and advocacy in the last decade. This brief seeks to outline its progression and highlight from a global perspective what structures and systems are required to give independent candidates the most electoral strength should this right be affirmed. Click on the link below to download the pdf report
