Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Eyaaz
Published on 2024-02-26 14:00:00
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has closed the 2024 voters’ roll and announced the timetable for the upcoming elections on 29 May. This decision follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent proclamation of the election date. The proclamation of the election date has legal implications, including the closure of the voters’ roll and the publication of the election timetable in the Government Gazette.
The IEC stated that no further voter registration would be permitted, whether at local offices or online. The commission is currently conducting voter verifications and other validations to ensure compliance with voting eligibility laws. The publication of the election timetable, which was approved after consultations with the national political liaison committee, outlines key deadlines for election contestants and voters.
The provisional voters’ roll was made available for inspection on Monday, with an electronic version accessible at all IEC offices. Objections to the inclusion or exclusion of voters on the roll must be submitted by 4 March, and the commission will review and determine these objections by 11 March. The chief electoral officer will certify the voters’ roll on 12 March, and certified copies will be distributed for use in voting stations.
The upcoming election marks 30 years of electoral democracy in South Africa and introduces new voting experiences, such as a third ballot and the inclusion of independent candidates. The IEC promotes the use of the online Candidate Nomination platform for candidate registration, with a deadline of 8 March for submission of nomination requirements by independent candidates and political parties.
The publication of provisional lists of candidates for inspection on 26 and 27 March allows interested parties to object to prospective candidates by 27 March. The IEC will decide on objections by 28 March, and appeals can be lodged with the electoral court by 2 April. The court will issue determinations by 9 April, leading to the publication of final candidate lists on 10 April.
Special voting arrangements are in place for voters in special circumstances, including those who are infirm, confined, or unable to reach voting stations. The application for special votes closes on 3 May, and special voting at home or voting stations will take place on 27 and 28 May. Voters intending to vote abroad must submit notice to the chief electoral officer by 22 April to participate in special voting at diplomatic missions on 17 or 18 May.
Voters must notify the IEC of any plans to vote in a different district on election day, with a notification portal set to launch for this purpose. Notifications must be submitted by 17 May. The electoral scheme aims to facilitate a transparent and inclusive election process, allowing all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote on 29 May.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
