79 7.3 Electoral Law (1) An Act of Parliament must provide for the conduct of elections and referendums to which this Constitution applies, and in particular for the following matters— (a) the periodic delimitation of constituencies and wards in accordance with section 7.7; (b) the registration of voters, and requirements for registration on particular voters’ rolls; (c) a code of conduct for political parties, candidates and other persons participating in elections or referendums; (d) a system of proportional representation for the election of persons to the seats in the Senate referred to in section 6.5(1)(a) and the seats reserved for women in the National Assembly referred to in section 6.9(1)(b), and the procedure for filling vacancies in those seats, which vacancies must be filled by persons— (i) belonging to the same political parties as those who previously held the seats; and (ii) of the same gender as the persons who previously held the seats; (e) the election of representatives of persons with disabilities under section 6.5(1)(e); (f) the conduct of elections to provincial and metropolitan councils and local authorities; (g) challenges to election results. (2) The system of proportional representation provided for in terms of subsection (1)(d) must ensure equal representation of women among the Senators referred to in section 6.5(1)(a). (3) The Electoral Law must provide for the nomination of candidates in any election to take place at least fourteen days after the election was called and thirty days before polling in the election. (4) No amendments may be made to the Electoral Law, or to any subsidiary legislation made under that law, unless the Electoral Commission has been consulted and any recommendations made by the Commission have been duly considered. (5) After an election has been called, no change to the Electoral Law or to any other law relating to elections has effect for the purpose of that election. PART 2 TIMING OF ELECTIONS 7.4 Timing of elections (1) A general election must be held so that polling takes place not more than— (a) thirty days before the expiry of the five-year period specified in section 6.28; (b) where Parliament has passed resolutions to dissolve in terms of section 6.28(2), ninety days after the passing of the last such resolution; or (c) where Parliament is dissolved in terms of section 5.22(4) or (5) following a vote of no confidence, ninety days after the dissolution.

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