President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the 2024 general and local elections will be held in May.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared May 29 as election day.
- Political parties welcomed Mr Ramaphosa's announcement.
- it matches Celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africans will go to the polls on May 29, 2024.
Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Mugwenya said: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has read out section 17 of the Electoral Act 1998 which fixes the election date on 29 May 2024 in accordance with Article 49(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. ” he said. 2024 general and local elections. ”
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Mr Mugwenya said: “The President also consulted with the IEC regarding the election date pursuant to Section 17(2) of Section 73 of the Electoral Act 1998. I have called a meeting.” All nine state chief ministers and the IEC will discuss preparations for the general elections. ”
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Mr Magwenya said the 2024 elections would coincide with the commemoration of South Africa's 30 years of freedom and democracy, and therefore “Mr Ramaphosa would like to urge all voters to give full support to this important and historic milestone in the democratic calendar”. I call on you to participate.”
Mr Ramaphosa said:
Beyond fulfilling our constitutional obligations, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future we all want. I call on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and to campaigners to do so peacefully and in full compliance with the law. We also encourage unregistered voters to register using our online registration platform.
Political parties breathed a sigh of relief following the announcement.
DA Party leader John Steenhuisen said his party had been preparing carefully for the next election.
“This election is a turning point for South Africa and comes at a time when our country needs elections more than any other time in the last 30 years.The DA is well prepared for the challenges ahead and the “We are fully prepared for the elections. The DA is ready to fight this election so that South Africa can win,” Steenhuisen said.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said the party welcomed the “long-awaited” announcement.
“We have been internally preparing for a complete victory in this election for a long time,” Tambo said.
“EFF supporters are ready to go to the polls. We encourage people to go to the polls on May 29, 2024 for land and jobs now and end load shedding.”
Rise Mzansi spokesperson Mabin Seebe said: “This is the first election for Rise Mzansi. “We have excited voters with our vision of building a better South Africa.” A happy and dignified life.
“Rise Mzansi is preparing to begin campaigning in earnest and will be on the ballot nationally and in all nine provinces once we have secured the necessary signatures.”
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FF Plus's Peter Groenewald told News24 the date brought certainty to political parties and voters.
“Political parties can now better plan their election campaigns in the run-up to May 29, 2024,” he said.
Mr Groenewald reminded South Africans that they could only vote where they were registered.
“They can also make plans to decide where they will go on May 29, 2024, and register online on the IEC website. I expect it will.”
He called on South Africans to make good use of their time to register to vote, as “this is a very important election for South Africa's future”.
Ruhona Mnguni of Rivonia Circle, a political think tank, said Mr Ramaphosa's announcement was important because it gave political parties a sense of timeline.
“What is clear is that the IEC said it would need about 86 days from the announcement date to prepare for the election. There are currently about 99 days until the election, but with about two weeks until the presidential announcement, the IEC said it would need about 86 days from the announcement date. , you will be able to expand your timetable.”
Mnguni said the announcement added urgency to the Rivonia Circle's Constitutional Court bid regarding signature requirements for unrepresented political parties and independent candidates.
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Action SA's Michael Beaumont said the party “will continue to run a positive campaign that focuses on each other rather than the crisis that arose during our time in Parliament and a departure from a political system that has failed South Africans”. Ta.
He added: “ActionSA's campaign will strive to show all South Africans that 'we can fix South Africa', but that this work can only begin once the ANC is removed.” “ActionSA is the party that will achieve this,” he added.
IFP's Mukuleko Hlenwa said the date would allow the party to plan better.
Mr Hlenwa said: “The IFP National Electoral Committee will now streamline all plans and action plans to ensure IFP electoral support. We also encourage all South Africans to register to vote online. “Once we announce the election date, voters will vote.” close. ”