Introduction

South Africa and Japan use a very different system to elect their public representatives, one of
the countries give their public more power to their decisions compared to the other
South Africa’s electoral system, as we now know it, was carefully considered. The challenge
faced by our leaders at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa was to select an
appropriate electoral system for a highly divided and unequal society in the process of a delicate
transition.The configuration of an electoral system is of fundamental importance to the nature of
a country’s politics and, very importantly, the match between the preferences of citizens, the
preferences of elected officials, and government's policy direction. South Africa’s proportional
representation system was selected for its inclusiveness, its simplicity, and its tendency to
encourage coalition government.
In Japan, there are two types of elections in the political process. National elections are held at
the national level and subnational or local elections are held at the prefectural and municipal
levels. At the national level, the government operates under a parliamentary system where the
head of government is chosen indirectly by the legislature. On the other hand, prefectures and
municipalities follow a presidential system where the chief executives and legislative assemblies
are directly elected, separately from each other. Since 1947, many of the prefectural and
municipal elections have been combined into unified local elections, which are held in years that
are not leap years. However, because each election cycle for chief executives or assemblies in
any prefecture or municipality is independent and not reset after resignations, deaths, recalls, no-
confidence votes, dissolutions, or municipal mergers, there are also many non-unified local
elections happening today. The prefectural and municipal assemblies have a single chamber,
while the National Diet consists of two chambers that operate on separate election cycles.

Process of elections in South Africa

The process of electing public representatives in South Africa plays a crucial role in the country’s
democratic governance. In this essay, we will explore the step-by-step process through which
candidates are elected to represent the public, highlighting key aspects of South Africa’s electoral
system.South Africa follows a proportional representation system. This means that political
parties are allocated seats in the legislative bodies, such as the National Assembly and provincial
legislatures, based on the percentage of votes they receive nationally or in each province.
To participate in the electoral process, individuals must first register as voters. The Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) oversees voter registration, which occurs regularly in designated
registration periods leading up to elections. Voters must provide proof of identity and address to
register.When elections are called, the President or provincial Premiers officially announce the
dates. Political parties and independent candidates nominate their representatives to run for
public office. The IEC oversees the nomination process and ensures compliance with the
electoral laws and regulations.
Candidates participate in a period of campaigning where they present their policies, interact with
voters, and seek their support. This campaign period typically lasts for a few weeks, allowing
candidates to hold rallies, debates, and public meetings to discuss their ideas and gain public
endorsement.
On the designated day of the election, registered voters cast their votes. The government declares
this day a public holiday to encourage maximum citizen participation. Voting takes place at
specific polling stations, and voters must show their identification documents to confirm their
eligibility.
South Africa utilizes a secret ballot system, ensuring the confidentiality and honesty of the vote.
Voters receive a ballot paper with the names of political parties and candidates listed. They
indicate their choice by placing an “X” next to the preferred party or candidate’s name and then
place the ballot in a sealed ballot box.
Vote counting and the announcement of results
After the voting process concludes, the ballots are counted transparently under the supervision of
the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The counting process ensures accuracy and
fairness. Once the count is finished, the IEC announces the results, specifying the number of
seats won by each party and individual candidates.The government is established by the party or
group of parties that secures the majority of seats in the National Assembly. The leader of the
winning party assumes the role of President, while other parties have the option to form the
opposition. A similar process is followed at the provincial level to form provincial governments.

Democratic Process in Japan

In Japan, the process of establishing electoral districts involves dividing the country based on
population size to ensure fair representation. The number of seats assigned to each district is
determined using a complex formula that takes into account both population distribution and
political representation. When a general election is scheduled, which occurs every four years for
the House of Representatives and every three years for the House of Councillors, the Prime
Minister or provincial governors officially announce the elections. Political parties then select
candidates to run in each district, and independent candidates also have the opportunity to
participate. Once the candidates are chosen, a campaign period begins, typically lasting two
weeks for general elections. During this time, candidates engage with voters and present their
policies through public speeches, debates, and various forms of media. It is important for
candidates to conduct themselves respectfully and responsibly during the campaign, as this is
emphasized in campaigning etiquette.
Public broadcasting ensures that all candidates have an equal opportunity to present their
platforms and policies, thus shaping public opinion during the campaign period. On the day of
voting, eligible Japanese citizens aged 18 and above cast their votes, typically on a Sunday or
national holiday to encourage maximum participation. The government also allows absentee
voting for those unable to reach their assigned polling station on the designated day.
In Japan, the voting process involves a secret ballot system. Voters receive a paper ballot with the
names and party affiliations of the candidates. They mark their preferred candidate, fold the
ballot to maintain privacy, and place it in a sealed ballot box.
Once voting is completed, the ballots are counted and the results are announced. Japan follows a
proportional representation system, where the number of seats a party receives is determined by
the nationwide votes it receives, as well as constituency seats decided at the local level. The
candidates with the highest number of votes in their respective districts are declared winners.

Government Formation
After the election, the elected representatives take their positions in either the House of
Representatives or the House of Councillors. The political party or group of parties that obtains
the majority of seats forms the government. The Prime Minister, who is chosen separately by
members of the parliament, is typically the leader of the ruling party or coalition.

Conclusion
The process of selecting public representatives in Japan is a well-defined and organized
democratic process. From establishing electoral districts to ensuring a fair campaign period,
Japan guarantees that its citizens have ample opportunities to interact with candidates, vote, and
contribute to shaping their governance. This process demonstrates Japan’s dedication to
democracy and political representation.
South Africa’s democratic process for selecting public representatives involves eligible voters
coming together to elect their representatives through a proportional representation system. The
various steps involved, starting from voter registration to the announcement of election results,
ensure transparency, honesty, and the expression of democratic choice. This process highlights
South Africa’s dedication to democratic governance and the representation of its diverse
population.
Reference
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3. Boulle, L J 1984. South Africa and the Consociational Option; A constitutional

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5. University of Pretoria
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/27578/08references.pdf?sequence=9