Ramaphosa proclaims elections, voters’ roll now closed
If you didn't yet register to vote for this year, you are now officially out of time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, visits the State Security Agency offices in Pretoria. Picture: Siyabulela Duda
Following his announcement of the election date during his state of the nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa has now officially proclaimed elections, which means the powers of the Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) will be radically expanded from today onwards.
May 8, a Wednesday, will be a public holiday.
His office said on Tuesday: “President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 8 May 2019, as the date of the election of the National Assembly. All premiers have also declared 8 May 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures,” his office said.
“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.
“The President has also in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994 declared 8 May 2019 a public holiday throughout the country.”
The election date falls within the active five-year term of the Fifth Parliament, which resulted in the dissolution of the National Assembly, as elections could not be held while the parliamentary term was in session.
The presidential proclamation means that preparations ahead of elections will now take place at speed, with the election timetable to be put in place.
We welcome today’s proclamation of #SAElections2019 by President & provincial Premiers. Proclamation triggers the official election timetable which we will discuss with the National Party Liaison Committee tomorrow before publishing in Govt Gazette. https://t.co/HBH1mSlAvE
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2019
No one will now be able to add their name to the voters’ roll either.
First legal consequence of proclamation of #SAElections2019 is to close the voters’ roll for the elections at midnight on 26 Feb. This means no new applicants may be admitted to the voters’ roll, including registrations and re-registrations. https://t.co/HBH1mSlAvE
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— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2019
Registered voters who intend to vote abroad in #SAElections2019 need to notify the CEO & indicate the mission at which they intend voting. Voters have 15 days to complete the notification (VEC10) available at https://t.co/0nQ1METRRv. Voting abroad is on Sat 27 April.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2019
The IEC added that the proclamation also triggers the opening of candidate nomination for the elections.
“Registered parties have until 5pm on 13 March to submit their national, regional and provincial lists of nominations.”
Registered voters who intend to vote abroad in #SAElections2019 need to notify the CEO & indicate the mission at which they intend voting. Voters have 15 days to complete the notification (VEC10) available at https://t.co/0nQ1METRRv. Voting abroad is on Sat 27 April.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) February 26, 2019
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