2019 elections likely to be in May
Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson, Glen Mashinini, says the 2019 general elections will most likely be held in May.
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Mashinini said President Cyril Ramaphosa recently indicated his intention to proclaim elections before the end of May next year but is expected to announce the exact date in due course.
In terms of the Constitution, the term of the current National Assembly and provincial legislatures ends on 6 May 2019 and elections must be held within 90 days thereafter.
Addressing the media in Centurion, Mashinini said a voter registration weekend will be held on Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 January 2019.
The Electoral Commission will support the voter registration drive with the roll-out of a national communication and education campaign to encourage participation.
READ: Update: Mpumalanga election results 2016
Mashinini said all the country’s 22 932 voting stations will open from 08h00 to 17h00 on the voter registration weekend.
“This is to allow new voters to register and existing voters to update and check their registration details.”
Mashinini said there are currently 26.1 million registered voters on the national common voters’ roll.
The commission chair hoped that at least one million new voters would be added to the voters’ roll ahead of the 2019 elections.
Mashinini said the voter registration will also be conducted in January in correctional centres around the country to allow prisoners to exercise their right to vote.
“For voting purposes, prisoners are regarded as being registered to vote in the voting district in which their prison is located.
“Families members of those who are incarcerated in correctional facilities are requested to deliver their identity documents to them ahead of this registration drive,” Mashinini said.