The nation should mark its calendars – South African elections are set for 29 May – a highly anticipated date for voting was officially recently announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. On this historical date, citizens will head to the polls to cast their votes in the seventh democratic general elections since the end of apartheid.
South African Elections Are Set for 29 May – Key Points
- President Ramaphosa’s announcement follows consultations with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as mandated by the Constitution and Electoral Act.
- Both national and provincial elections will take place simultaneously.
- The IEC has expressed readiness to ensure successful and credible elections, including managing new signature requirements.
- Political parties across the spectrum gear up for their campaigns in earnest.
Implications of the Date and Signature Requirements
The election date provides a definitive timeline for political parties to intensify their campaigns and outreach efforts. However, the recent controversy surrounding the IEC’s new signature requirements adds another dimension to parties’ preparations. Smaller or unrepresented parties may face challenges meeting the stricter signature thresholds to contest the elections. There is potential for legal contestation over these requirements.
Unconfirmed statements by Arise South Africa’s Mpho Dagada about new signature requirements include a minimum of 60,000 signatures from registered voters (across the country’s provinces) along with their ID numbers within two weeks, a prerequisite that’s beyond the reach of many of the smaller political parties. Dagada also expressed grievances over the lateness of the election date announcement, sentiments seemingly shared by his counterparts.
Building Up to Election Day
In the coming months, expect heightened political activity with rallies, debates, and manifestos being released. The IEC will play a crucial role in managing logistics, educating voters, and clarifying the signature requirements for parties.
In recent weeks, the IEC has approached the constitutional court to “urgently finalise its decision on how many signatures new parties need to allow for free and fair elections.”
Court papers submitted by the IEC said:
“The abiding consideration should be the need for certainty as soon as possible. A key function underpinning a free and fair election is that the rules must be transparent to all. Unrepresented political parties must know the threshold for their participation in the election, so that they can prepare themselves accordingly. Without certainty, unrepresented political parties cannot deploy their resources towards campaigning and canvassing for votes, and campaigners cannot decide whether to associate with an unrepresented party. The worst-case scenario is one in which the rules for participation change mid-stream. This, we submit, should be avoided.”
In 2019, parties needed 40,000 voters to acquire a seat in the legislature.
Eyes on the Future
The 2024 elections are seen as a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. The results will determine the composition of the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, shaping the country’s political trajectory for the next five years.
Stay Informed
Reliable news sources and the official IEC website https://www.elections.org.za are crucial for staying updated on election developments, party platforms, key dates, and the evolving situation with signature requirements.
Important Note: The IEC’s signature requirements are a complex and potentially fluid issue. Be sure to check with reliable news sources and the IEC website for the most up-to-date information on this.
Related: South Africa’s Election Predictions for 2024.
Conclusion
The date for the 2024 elections is firmly established by the president, meaning the difficult work of campaigning heightens for South African political parties. With the ballot paper growing by the week, the IEC must finalise political party requirements, especially for those outside of the legislature.
