International

South Africa fixes May 29 for general election

February 21, 2024 4:28 pm

South African presidency says the country’s general election will be held on May 29.

The announcement for the elections was released in a post on X on Tuesday.

“President @CyrilRamaphosa has 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, determined 29 May 2024, as the date for the 2024 General National and Provincial elections,” the statement reads.

The elections are expected to be the most competitive since the end of the apartheid system.

Analysts say the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party is likely to face a tough challenge to retain its parliamentary majority.

In South Africa’s general election, political parties, instead of a presidential candidate, swoop the votes.

The parties are then allocated places in the 400-seat parliament according to their share of the vote, and lawmakers elect the president

Owing to its constant parliamentary majority, the president has always been from the ANC.

But President Cyril Ramaphosa’s popularity among South Africans is taking a steep decline.

Ramaphosa, 71, who is seeking a second term as president has faced criticism for failing to solve the record levels of electricity blackouts across the country.

The president achieved some successes in cleaning up the high levels of corruption that marred the ANC.

However, South Africa’s rising violent crimes, widespread poverty, and unemployment have done little to up his chances at the polls.

The elections coincide with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy.

Ramaphosa urged all eligible voters to fully participate in “this important and 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,” the president said.

“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.”

The main opposition parties are the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Former President Jacob Zuma, who was part of the ANC until he was suspended in January, has backed the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK).