How to make the local election system work

The current local electoral system that is in place, promotes the success of political parties.

This is due to the proportional representation (PR) system.

The PR system enables parties that win ward councilor seats, to award associated PR seats on the local town or district council to their chosen party members.

The voter has no say in the awarding of PR councilor seats to party members.

Often PR councilors are not permitted to think for themselves and must follow party orders when voting on council matters or risk losing their council seat and or party membership . Making the local election system work for Knysna: 1. Connect groups of like-minded people that are resident in Knysna.

2. Nominate the leadership of the group. 3. Register a political party per group to contest local elections.

4. Contest local municipal elections and by-elections for ward councillor and proportional representation members of the local municipal council.

Independent councillors versus political parties.