Schulz-Herzenberg, Collette2019-09-252019-09-252015-08-042014-08http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/224661On a continent where legitimate elections are rare, the 2014 general elections demonstrated South Africa’s continued commitment to regular, free and fair elections. The quality of an election depends on impartial and efficient electoral procedures. Administrative and logistical failures, as well as attempts to fraudulently influence the results, undermine the event and the final outcome. Electoral integrity also presupposes a degree of political competition and a level playing field during the campaign period. Surveys show that it is during this time that many voters make up their minds about which party to support. This policy brief examines those features of the electoral process that influence the ability of South Africa’s political parties to contest elections, and voters to make informed choices. It also makes recommendations that can improve electoral integrity and public confidence.engWith permission of the license/copyright holderelectoral processintegrityPoliticselectionGlobal ethicsPolitical ethicsGovernance and ethicsPreprint