Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Victoria O’Regan
Published on 2024-02-20 18:04:06
South Africans have a significant date to mark in their calendars – the national and provincial elections of 2024 will be taking place on Wednesday, 29 May. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Tuesday night, and once the date is officially proclaimed in the Government Gazette, voter registration will be closed.
In the words of President Ramaphosa, “Beyond the fulfilment of our constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future that we all desire. I call on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law. We also urge unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register.”
The President’s announcement came within 15 days of delivering his State of the Nation Address on 8 February, as previously mentioned by Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, the date for the 2024 General National and Provincial elections was determined in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and after consultation with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The 2024 elections have special significance as they coincide with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy. President Ramaphosa has called on all eligible voters to fully participate in this important and historic milestone of the democratic calendar.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo reported that more than 27 million people are registered to vote, following the IEC’s final registration weekend in February. This number surpassed the 26.75 million people who registered to vote in the 2019 national elections, as reported by Daily Maverick’s Ferial Haffajee.
The timing of the election is of particular interest as it favors the incumbent, giving newcomers less time to campaign. As a result, the ANC is keen to have the election held sooner rather than later.
The IEC will now focus on preparing the election logistics, including compiling the ballot papers and securing enough election materials. This preparation also includes ensuring power alternatives to prevent load shedding from undermining voting.
The announcement of the election date is a significant development for South Africa, and the preparation for these elections will be closely watched. As the country looks ahead to 2024, the democratic process will be a central focus as South Africans exercise their right to vote and shape the future of the nation.
Read in Daily Maverick: 2024 Elections Knowledge Base
Read more in Daily Maverick: Everything you need to know about South Africa’s ‘watershed’ polls and what happens afterwards
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
