Decimation of smaller parties

[Nom Chompsky]

So one of the big talking points about this election is the effective decimation of the smaller parties (COPE, UDM, Agang). Is this a good or a bad thing? I suppose some will see it as South Africa maturing as a democracy, as many developed countries only have two parties which can realistically obtain power. Although I think the two-party system has severe shortcomings, in the South African context, I would approve.

 

[Noseworthy]

Ive been saying this since registration. A 2 or 3 horse race would see a major change in the results. I have to add in that we need to go digital as well. Each vote is automatically addef to the taly and shown immediately on screen

 

[AstroTurf]

it's a double edged sword.

 

[w1z4rd]

Some parties died, some grew. So I think the view is a little short sighted.

UDM grew (hooray!), EFF grew and several other small parties grew. Parties like COPE and Agang imploded under poor management. Simple as that. There will always be some parties gaining and some losing. Those that are poorly managed and that implode are destined to do so.

The only major party to have growth was the DA. The ANC was the biggest loser in numbers of votes it has lost.

I doubt South Africa will ever be a 2 party state. We simply dont have the political conditions for it. We will always be a multi party democracy and in several years time, governments built on coalitions.

 

[ShaunSA]

Good thing. The number of parties showing on the ballot paper is just ridiculous.

I reckon 2 to 3 big parties is all you need. One with a slight majority to be in government and the other two to keep them on their toes.

 

[AstroTurf]

there will likely be several new parties by the next elections.

 

[LazyLion]

Those pointless smaller parties need to wake up and combine with the big guns.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Ive been saying this since registration. A 2 or 3 horse race would see a major change in the results. I have to add in that we need to go digital as well. Each vote is automatically addef to the taly and shown immediately on screen

I was also wondering why digital isn't a reality.

It would solve all this *** related to ballot boxes being found in rivers and what not.

Folks without PC's or Smartphones can go to Voting Kiosks to cast their vote and like you say it will be instantly verified. You also can't cock it up then.


A simple touchscreen interface where you select your party. A double confirmation and then a confirmation that your vote was submitted afterwards.

Other people with smartphones and computers can do it all from home.


I bet you'll instantly double the amount of voters as well.

 

[Noseworthy]

I was also wondering why digital isn't a reality.

It would solve all this *** related to ballot boxes being found in rivers and what not.

Folks without PC's or Smartphones can go to Voting Kiosks to cast their vote and like you say it will be instantly verified. You also can't cock it up then.


A simple touchscreen interface where you select your party. A double confirmation and then a confirmation that your vote was submitted afterwards.

Other people with smartphones and computers can do it all from home.

Hold your horses. Saying people could use their smart phones is asking for trouble. I didnt see we had a problem with queuing.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

So one of the big talking points about this election is the effective decimation of the smaller parties (COPE, UDM, Agang). Is this a good or a bad thing? I suppose some will see it as South Africa maturing as a democracy, as many developed countries only have two parties which can realistically obtain power. Although I think the two-party system has severe shortcomings, in the South African context, I would approve.

Well, some have situations where no party can obtain power on its own, England and Germany being the foremost examples. This ensures the continued existence of smaller parties who are often key in establishing coalition governments.

 

[GoB]

Bad. It means that it is not viable for a regular ANC voter to change votes at the next election.

 

[sox63]

I dont think there can ever be consolidation of opposition parties. When you look at the current figures, 2.6m people chose not to vote for the ANC and the DA. That is a LOT of people who have different political beliefs and ideas on how things should be done. It would be impossible for those parties to find to merge and keep all their voters. All that will happen is that those against the merger just wont vote, which kills voter turnout IMO.

 

[AstroTurf]

I dont think there can ever be consolidation of opposition parties. When you look at the current figures, 2.6m people chose not to vote for the ANC and the DA. That is a LOT of people who have different political beliefs and ideas on how things should be done. It would be impossible for those parties to find to merge and keep all their voters. All that will happen is that those against the merger just wont vote, which kills voter turnout IMO.

Or vote for one of the opposition parties.

 

[MKFrost]

So far only three parties did better namely DA, UDM and VF Plus. All others are down on their previous figures. [Excluding the new parties]

 

[cr@zydude]

I was also wondering why digital isn't a reality.

It would solve all this *** related to ballot boxes being found in rivers and what not.

Folks without PC's or Smartphones can go to Voting Kiosks to cast their vote and like you say it will be instantly verified. You also can't cock it up then.


A simple touchscreen interface where you select your party. A double confirmation and then a confirmation that your vote was submitted afterwards.

Other people with smartphones and computers can do it all from home.


I bet you'll instantly double the amount of voters as well.

Electronic voting is in no way perfect. Ireland removed their machines. US companies have been accused of fraud and the Netherlands revoked the licences in half the machines.

Also, voting from your phone or computer should never be allowed. That would link your vote to an ip, losing its anonymity.

 

[sox63]

Or vote for one of the opposition parties.

You think for example someone that votes for FF+ would ever vote for a Opposition party that has accomodated the policies the likes of EFF, PAC? Actually even some of the policies of the DA would not attract them. So they just would not vote IMO

 

[AstroTurf]

You think for example someone that votes for FF+ would ever vote for a Opposition party that has accomodated the policies the likes of EFF, PAC? Actually even some of the policies of the DA would not attract them. So they just would not vote IMO

I think specifically VF+ would go to DA (they are survivalists afterall).

 

[Nerfherder]

I dont think there can ever be consolidation of opposition parties. When you look at the current figures, 2.6m people chose not to vote for the ANC and the DA. That is a LOT of people who have different political beliefs and ideas on how things should be done. It would be impossible for those parties to find to merge and keep all their voters. All that will happen is that those against the merger just wont vote, which kills voter turnout IMO.

There are very little political differences between the ANC and DA, its the perception that one is corrupt and one is "white" that differentiates the voters.

The minority ones are the ones that have political differences:

EFF: Nationalisation, Socialism
VF+ : Segregation\autonomy

All those small parties are there because they are pushing an agenda that is being ignored by the big parties.

Until the ANC and DA become more polarised, these parties will exist.

 

[ISP cash cow]

I actually like it that there are smaller parties and I think it is a nice idea that a certain amount of votes get you a seat in parliament this way a party can have their voice and opinion heard in parliament.

 

[Nerfherder]

You think for example someone that votes for FF+ would ever vote for a Opposition party that has accomodated the policies the likes of EFF, PAC? Actually even some of the policies of the DA would not attract them. So they just would not vote IMO

You would think that though...

But its not always the case. The VF+ voters are looking for a homeland and if the EFF promised them that they would move there.
The VF+ was on the radio claiming to have Khoisan voters backing them. Why ? because they push the minority rights issues.
Seems bizarre but people vote in unpredictable ways sometimes