Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-02-03 14:50:02
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has once again urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the date for the upcoming elections. The nation is eagerly anticipating the announcement of the election date and the DA has been vocal in their calls for the date to be set as soon as possible.
According to the Constitution of South Africa, the elections must be held within 90 days of the expiry of the current term of the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, which is expected to occur in mid-May. President Ramaphosa is expected to make the announcement of the election date when he delivers his State-of-the-Nation-Address next week.
During the DA’s voter registration campaign in Soweto, party leader John Steenhuisen expressed the urgency of holding the elections. He stated, “We would like the election as soon as possible. We can’t wait a moment longer to liberate the country from corruption, maladministration, weak governance, and the crime and criminality that South Africans are subjected to. The sooner, the better. We’re calling on the president, call that date. We are ready, we want to bring it on for this election and I think the people of the country are also tired of waiting and having to deal with poor service delivery.”
Steenhuisen highlighted the frustration in places like Soweto, where residents are experiencing poor levels of service and neglect, and emphasized the importance of allowing citizens to express themselves at the polls. He reiterated the party’s readiness for the election, stating, “We are ready to go tomorrow if the election is called and we say to the president, call the date. We’ll meet you at the ballot.”
In response to the possibility of an early election date, Steenhuisen stated that the DA does not plan to challenge it, emphasizing, “We say we want the thing, bring it on. The sooner, the better for us. We believe that people are fed up with… People are tired of load shedding, they’re tired of sitting without water in their homes, and they’re tired of watching their children remain in the unemployment queues.”
Steenhuisen’s visit to voting stations in Soweto was part of the party’s voter registration drive, engaging with residents and emphasizing the importance of registering to vote. He expressed optimism about the growth of the Multi-Party Charter and the potential for a new provincial government in Gauteng, stating, “With the continued growth of the Multi-Party Charter, the prospect of a new provincial government in Gauteng is now within reach.”
The DA’s push for an early election date and their readiness to participate in the polls underscores the urgency and importance of the upcoming elections in addressing the issues faced by South African citizens. The party continues to engage with communities and emphasize the need for change and accountability in governance.
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