APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) South Africa has launched the 2024 National and Provincial Elections (NPE 2024) programme, with independent candidates gracing the ballot papers for the first time ever in the country’s electoral history.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said late Tuesday that it was ready to host millions of eligible voters at over 23,000 voting stations that would be erected across the country next year.
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya and Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo presided over the launch of the NPE 2024 in Johannesburg during a ceremony attended by political parties and other stakeholders.
Mamabol explained that, while the term of office of the current legislatures – national and provincial governments – is expected to end on 18 May 2024, the national and provincial governments would remain in office until the newly elected public representatives are able to take office.
He said in terms of the Constitution, the country must have an election within 90 days of the expiry of the legislatures’ terms.
“Our expectation is that the provincial elections will be, as they have for the past 30 years, synchronised with the national election,” Mamabolo said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the legislation enabling the participation of independent candidates into law in April, he said.
NM/jn/APA