The ability of independent candidates to stand in national elections offers a wide choice that could entice apathetic eligible voters into the process and attract others away from established parties.

The task team was mandated to probe whether the interim legislation, which prescribed voting for political parties - that is proportional representation - should be made permanent or revised.

Most wanted the electoral system changed to a mixed one - providing for direct election of constituency representatives and for a political party.

It was the governing African National Congress's (ANC's) reaction to public disapproval of Zuma, and its consequent misuse of its parliamentary majority to stifle law enforcement agencies, that turned popular opinion against the proportional representation system.

While voting for a trustworthy party candidate, voters can spoil the proportional representation ballot as a statement of disapproval against the candidates on the party list.