It outlines the legal and practical frameworks governing election coverage, offering essential information to ensure accurate and responsible reporting. South African elections operate under a system of proportional representation, where voters cast their ballots for parties rather than individual candidates. The national elections determine the composition of the National Assembly, while provincial elections decide the makeup of provincial legislatures. Key institutions include the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), responsible for overseeing and administering elections, and the Electoral Court, which addresses election disputes.