The 2024 general election in South Africa is eagerly anticipated, but concerns have been raised regarding a potential delay in the announcement of the election date.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is worried that if President Cyril Ramaphosa does not declare the date soon, it may pose challenges in terms of carrying out the necessary legal, logistic, and other preparations.
The IEC’s workload has increased due to the introduction of independent candidates participating in the national and provincial elections for the first time since 1994.
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As a result, the commission now needs to print three sets of ballot papers for each voter, adding to the overall workload. Despite these challenges, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo assured voters that preparations are underway and that it’s all systems go.
The IEC has provided President Ramaphosa with all the necessary information to make an informed decision regarding the election date. It is customary for the president to consult with the IEC and political parties to reach a consensus before publicly declaring the date.
The official announcement is expected to be made during the State of the Nation Address in parliament on 8 February. Once declared, the date will be published in the Government Gazette, marking the official start of the election period. Additionally, the president will declare the election date as a public holiday.
While awaiting the announcement, the IEC will finalize the preparation of ballot papers and other logistical arrangements. Political parties and independent candidates will also be able to produce their election materials based on the declared date.
The IEC has hired over 69,000 staff members to undertake the election process, including the final in-person voter registration taking place this weekend. Online registration will continue until the election date is announced.
Once the election date is announced by President Ramaphosa, the voters’ roll will be closed at midnight on the same day. Chief Electoral Officer Mamabolo encourages voters to visit their designated voting stations to register or check their registration status.
It is important to note that voters must vote at the station where they are registered, except in cases where they have notified the IEC within the stipulated time as per the new law.
In terms of parliamentary representation, out of the 400 seats, 200 are reserved for political parties, while the remaining 200 seats will be allocated based on regions or provinces represented in the National Assembly.
The ballot papers for different regions will vary depending on the number of political parties and independent candidates contesting in each region.
In support of the voter registration process, the Department of Home Affairs has announced that its offices will open for an extra two hours today and remain open the entire day tomorrow and on Sunday. This will allow potential voters to collect their ID cards, ensuring they are ready for the upcoming election.
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