Breaking: Ramaphosa announces general election will be in May

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 29 May 2024, as the date for South Africa’s seventh national elections.

Ramaphosa determined the date “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”, according to a statement released by the Presidency on Tuesday, 20 February 2024.

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He added that he had also consulted with Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and premiers on the date and preparedness.

“The president convened a meeting with all nine provincial premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the general elections,” the statement continued.

RAMAPHOSA MEETS DEADLINE FOR SA NATIONAL ELECTIONS DATE ANNOUNCEMENT

The announcement comes a couple of days shy of the deadline Ramaphosa had set for himself.

On 7 February 2024, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told journalists that Ramaphosa would announce the date within 15 days.

“…The election date will be announced within 15 days as of tomorrow,” said Magwenya at the time.

“The president will proclaim soon after announcing, so there shouldn’t be a lag between the time he announces and the time he proclaims, all depending on his schedule on that particular day on which he will announce.”

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PLEASE COME OUT AND VOTE ON 29 MAY 2024, URGES RAMAPHOSA

With the SA national elections date announcement on Tuesday, Ramamphosa urged all eligible voters to participate in this “historic milestone of our democratic calendar”.

“Beyond the fulfilment of our constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future that we all desire.

“I call on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law. We also urge unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register,” said Ramaphosa in the statement.

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