When there is a General Election in South Africa, a public holiday is usually declared under the terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act 1994 (Act No. 36 of 1994).
May 29th 2024
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the 2024 National and Provincial Election will take place on May 29th 2024.
This decision was announced by the Presidency via a media statement on February 20th 2024.
” President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in accordance with section 49(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with section 17 of the Electoral Act of 1998, determined 29 May 2024 as the date for the 2024 General National and Provincial elections,” it said.
“The President has also, in line with section 17(2) of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the election date.
Furthermore, the President convened a meeting with all 9 Provincial Premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the General elections,” it added.
The 2024 elections coincide with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy.
May 8th 2019
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African employers to observe 8 May, the day of National and Provincial elections, as a public holiday and encourage staff to use the day to exercise their right to vote.
In a statement, the Presidency said all Premiers have also declared 8 May 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures.
These proclamations have been published in the Government Gazette.
“The President has in terms of Section 50(1) of the Constitution dissolved the National Assembly. This follows a National Assembly resolution adopted on 21 February 2019,” the Presidency said. The President has also in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994 declared 8 May 2019 as a public holiday throughout the country.
Welcoming the proclamation on Tuesday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the development triggers the official election timetable which the Electoral Commission will discuss with the National Party Liaison Committee on Wednesday before publishing in the Government Gazette.
The IEC said the proposed election timetable spans the next 71 days and lays down the key dates and deadlines for various milestones until voting day on 8 May 2019.
“The proclamation places the preparation of the elections into a different trajectory. It gives a greater impetus to the currently unfolding election preparations,” IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said on Tuesday.
The Commission will now have to escalate preparations so that all electoral activities are accomplished in time for Election Day.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
