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29 May punted as day of reckoning for governing ANC

todayFebruary 21, 2024 83

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South Africa’s hotly contested general elections will be held on the 29th of May.

Eligible voters have until Friday to register for the vote.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Tuesday evening following a meeting with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the premiers of the country’s nine provinces.

Ramaphosa has urged all South Africans to come out in their numbers and exercise their democratic right to vote.

“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.”

The presidency says the proclamation to declare the date will be issued in due course.

The country’s overall voter roll now stands at 27.6 million voters.

Various political parties have welcomed the announcement, saying they are ready to usher in a new leadership.

Rize Mzansi’s leader, Songezo Zibi, says a democratic regime change is on the horizon.

This will be the first election for Rise Mzansi and Zibi says they are fully geared to begin campaigning in earnest.

The party will be on the ballot nationally and in all provinces.

“In this election nothing is guaranteed, especially for the political establishment, which has shown little respect for voters over the last 15 years, hence their vulnerability nationally, as well as in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.”

ActionSA says it will strive to show South Africans that the party can fix the country.

The party’s national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, says Ramaphosa and his Premiers can now start packing their offices and updating their CVs.

“ActionSA has resolved to run a positive campaign which will be a departure from a political establishment that has failed South Africans by focusing on one another more than the crisis that has developed under their time in Parliament,” he adds.

DA leader, John Steenhuisen, says the upcoming election is an opportunity for the people of South Africa to choose a path of progress, transparency, and accountability.

Steenhuisen says his party is committed to bringing an end to 30 years of ANC failure, corruption, and state capture.

“This election is a turning point for South Africa, and it comes at a time when our nation needs it the most in three decades. The DA is fully prepared for the challenge ahead, and we are all-systems-go for the May 29 date.”

Unregistered voters and those who need to update their address details can visit their local IEC offices or do so using the online voter registration portal.

 

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

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