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ELECTORAL COMMISSION
South Africa's countdown to Historic 2024 Elections
With little over two months remaining until election day on 29 May 2024, the Electoral Commission (IEC) is diligently orchestrating preparations for what promises to be landmark seventh general elections in South Africa's political democratic history.
As South Africa marks three decades of democracy since the end of apartheid, it stands at a crucial juncture in its history. The upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Elections hold immense significance as they represent another milestone in this journey of transformation and consolidation of the country’s democratic ideals.
“The 2024 Elections present an opportunity for South Africans to reaffirm their commitment to democracy and chart the course for the nation's future. It is a moment for citizens to exercise their democratic rights, hold their leaders to account, and shape the direction of the country,” says Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson Mosotho Moepya.
Chairperson Moepya emphasises the IEC’s unwavering commitment to upholding electoral integrity, stating: "Our primary objective is to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the people."
IEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sy Mamabolo echoes this sentiment, underscoring the meticulous planning involved in executing a seamless Election Timetable. “From certification of the national common voters’ roll to candidate nominations to the enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct and, finally, to the design and printing of the ballots, every aspect of the electoral process demands meticulous attention to detail,” he affirms.
Navigating the Election Timetable
The IEC welcomed proclamation of the election date on 23 February 2024, noting that it provided an unambiguous motivation for the IEC to pull out all the stops in the intensification of preparations for Election Day. The election is guided by the legally binding Election Timetable, as gazetted on 24 February 2023.
The announcement came after successful voter registration campaign which included two general registration weekends, an overseas voter registration drive, campus activations and registration within Correctional Services centres. Following this voter registration campaign, the voters’ roll now stands at 27.8 million voters.
The formal proclamation of the election date, 29 May, followed two days later on 23 February 2024, signalling the closure of the voters’ roll.
A day later, on 24 February 2024, the IEC published the Election Timetable in the Government Gazette after consultation with the National Party Liaison Committee.
Mamabolo delves into the intricacies of the 2024 election cycle, clarifying that the Election Timetable will outline the various cut-off dates for the performance of certain electoral activities.
Significant dates on the timetable relate to:
• Certification of the voters’ roll
• Publication of voting station addresses
• Political party and independent candidate nomination
• Notice to vote outside of the country, known as the VEC 10 process
• Notice to vote outside of a voters’ voting district, known as the Section 24 a process
• Applications for special votes.
Find the full Election Timetable on the IEC’s website, www.elections.org.za.
Commenting on reports that some political parties were unhappy about the timetable, Mamabolo stressed that the release of the Election Timetable should not have come as a surprise to political parties wanting to contest the May elections.
“Anyone who is preparing to contest the elections should know that once an election date is proclaimed, the train starts moving because we must follow the Election Timetable. The timelines set out in the election timetable are cast in stone. It is essentially an unstoppable moving train, but let us travel on it together,” he adds.
With various deadlines looming, political parties and candidates are now engaged in a flurry of activities, vying for the electorate's attention and support.
In terms of the legislation, unrepresented political parties and independent candidates are required to submit signatures to support their contest of a region, and parties not represented in Parliament or the legislature need to submit 15% signatures of the quota that was in the last election.
Mamabolo indicates that the Online Candidate Nomination Portal, first launched ahead of the 2021 Municipal Elections, was open from 26 January 2024 for capturing signatures, and contestants had quite some time to begin the process.
Candidate nomination closed on 8 March 2024, and the IEC is to finalise the lists of parties and candidates contesting the 2024 Elections by 10 April 2024, and will issue certificates to candidates by 12 April 2024.
Mamabolo says at the last count there were 350 registered parties who could nominate a candidate for the elections, so time will tell how many parties and candidates will eventually be contestants.
Voter Education
“For the first time in the country’s history, these candidates will appear on three ballot papers that are to be issued to voters at voting stations.
In previous elections, there were only two ballots, a National Proportional Representation, or PR, ballot for the National Assembly (Parliament), and a Provincial Ballot for the Provincial Legislature of the province.
“Now we have a third ballot which is for the regional seats to the National Assembly,” explains Mamabolo.
He adds that he terms “regional” and “provincial” are used to distinguish between the seats reserved for that region in Parliament (regional seats) and seats in the Provincial Legislatures of that province (provincial seats). A region essentially covers the same territorial area as a province.
Another crucial change in the forthcoming general elections that the IEC is actively creating a heightened awareness of among voters is the requirement that all South African residents are required to vote where they are registered. There are three categories of special votes.
“Firstly, if you plan to be outside your voting district on 29 May, but still in the country, it is now mandatory to notify the Electoral Commission in advance during a specified timeframe in terms of Section 24 A of the Electoral Act,” points out Mamabolo.
In terms of the Election Timetable, this Section 24 A notification to the IEC to vote in a voting district where you’re not registered to vote must be submitted between 15 March and 17 May 2024, to allow for election administrative planning.
Secondly, voters who wish to vote at the voting station where they are registered, but can’t make Election Day on 29 May for whatever reason, have the option of casting a special vote on the two days prior, that is 27 and 28 May, from 9am to 5pm. Voters must apply for such special votes between 15 April and 3 May 2024.
Lastly, as a South African citizen, your vote knows no boundaries. Whether you reside within or outside the country, you have the right to vote in the national elections (but not provincial elections).
With the new Electoral Amendment Act, voters abroad are no longer obliged to notify the IEC about their voting intentions, unless they intend voting at a different mission or country then where they are currently registered. In this case, they will be required to notify the CEO, just as
South Africans voting in-country are required to do when voting outside of their voting district. These VEC 10 notices are due by 22 April 2024.
Anticipating Voter Turnout
Against the backdrop of socio-political upheavals and economic challenges, the electorate's participation assumes heightened significance, symbolising a collective assertion of democratic agency. Anticipation is mounting as South Africa braces for what is expected to be a historic voter turnout.
The IEC is spearheading initiatives to enhance balloting education and foster robust voter turnout. CEO Mamabolo emphasises the significance of voter education, stating, “Empowering citizens with knowledge about their electoral rights and responsibilities is pivotal in ensuring widespread participation in the democratic process.”
Mamabolo is hopeful of voter turnout of 70% of the 27.8 million registered voters in the upcoming general elections, substantially more than the 66% recorded at the general elections
five years ago, fully expecting the youth to drive this turnout.
Threat of Disinformation
Amidst the fervour of electoral campaigns, the spectre of disinformation looms large. Chairperson Moepya issues a stern warning against the dissemination of false information, asserting, "In an era marked by digital proliferation, combating disinformation has become an imperative for safeguarding the integrity of our electoral process.”
Recognising disinformation as an emerging threat to free and fair elections, the IEC has partnered with Media Monitoring Africa to use the organisation’s Real411.org platform to govern and engage with disinformation during the election period.
“In addition to reporting disinformation on the platform where it’s shared, instances of disinformation can be reported on the Real411 platform. They will be evaluated by a committee, and if found that the complaint is a meritorious complaint so far as the matter relates to disinformation, a number of actions may be taken,” Mamabolo explains.
The consequences of disseminating disinformation included requesting the social media platform in question to take down the post, and depending on the gravity of the disinformation, a warning could also be issued.
Spreading disinformation and misinformation about the elections is prohibited by the Electoral Act, and those who do this could be tried in the Electoral Court once a relevant investigation had been completed. Punishment includes imprisonment of between five and 10 years.
Mamabolo warns that once the Electoral Code of Conduct comes into force on 4 April 2024, acts of disinformation can be escalated to the Electoral Court, but this only relates to independent candidates and political parties.
“Candidates may be removed, and a political party may be barred from participating in the election if it can
be proved that perpetration of the alleged disinformation is at the insistence of that party.”
Mamabolo calls on all role players, including party leaders, supporters and candidates, to exercise restraint and take care when making statements. “Don’t take to a public platform and poison the atmosphere in which the election is going to be taking place. That is anti-democratic and is not in the best interest of our democratic society,” Mamabolo cautions.
Historic Significance of 2024 Electio n
The 2024 elections carry profound historical resonance, emblematic of South Africa's enduring commitment to democratic consolidation and inclusive governance. As the nation commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of its first democratic elections, the 2024 polls serve as a poignant reminder of the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead.
Beyond the confines of South Africa, the 2024 elections assume global significance, resonating with the wave of democratic fervour sweeping across nations worldwide. With half the world poised to hold elections in 2024, South Africa's electoral journey stands as a beacon of hope amidst a tumultuous geopolitical landscape.
As South Africa stands on the cusp of history, the countdown to the 2024 elections encapsulates a nation's aspirations, challenges, and collective resolve. With the IEC at the helm, navigating the complexities of democracy's crucible, the path forward beckons with promise and possibility.
South Africa prepares to forge its destiny anew, guided by the beacon of electoral integrity and the indomitable spirit of its rainbow people.
CELEBRATING ELECTORAL MILESTONES
Even before the first ballot is cast, the 2024 National and Provincial Elections have set several unprecedented milestones.
Milestone 1: Record-Breaking Voters’ Roll
The first major milestone is the recordbreaking registration of 27.8 million eligible voters – the highest number since the dawn of democracy, marking the largest voters' roll in South Africa's history. A comparative analysis of past elections' registered voters showcases the remarkable growth:
On 23 February 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed 29 May 2024 as Election Day, closing voter registration.
Following this, the Electoral Commission will have certified the voters' roll on 12 March 2024.
The national common voters’ roll is a lynchpin for democracy, ensuring inclusivity, fairness, and accountability, contributing to the stability and legitimacy of the democratic system.
An in-depth analysis reveals that 97% of the 27.8 million voters have a complete address recorded. Gauteng leads with 6.5 million registered voters, and the focus on young voters (aged 18-39) has proven fruitful, constituting 42.4% of the total. Female representation continues to be strong, with 55.2% of the voters being women.
Milestone 2: Engaging the Youth through Innovative Campaigns
The second milestone highlights the impressive progress in attracting young voters, a direct outcome of the IEC's dedicated efforts. Utilising digital platforms, it has created animation videos, audio recordings, social media toolkits, infographics, and factsheets to engage young voters not only in person, but also online, on television and on radio.
Encouraging all eligible voters to participate is crucial, especially for the youth, as they make up a significant portion of the population. Their involvement ensures representation, influences policies, promotes civic engagement, and builds a better future.
The IEC has invested time and resources to encourage youth participation in elections because it helps combat political apathy and disillusionment. By actively engaging in the electoral process, the youth can challenge the perception that their voices do not matter or that politics is irrelevant to their lives. By registering and voting, they can demonstrate that they care about the future of their country and are willing to take part in shaping it. Their involvement is vital for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable democratic society.
Milestone 3: Celebrating 30 Years of Electoral Democracy
This election coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa's electoral democracy, a testament to the Electoral Commission's constitutional commitment to regular elections. As Time Magazine deems it the "ultimate elections year," over 64 countries worldwide, representing about 49% of the global population, will witness unprecedented voter participation.
Milestone 4: Pioneering Independent Candidates
The fourth milestone marks the first elections allowing independent candidates to contest seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures, a result of the Electoral Amendment Act enacted in April 2023. This transformative change has necessitated adjustments in the Electoral Commission's operations to accommodate independent candidates.
Strict criteria have been established for independent candidates, including South African citizenship, residency, and meeting mental and criminal history standards. The election timetable, available on the IEC’s website, www. elections.org.za, outlines crucial dates for contesting parties and independent candidates.
Milestone 5: Transformative Changes in Voting
The fifth milestone represents a historic shift in the voting process, with voters now receiving three ballots instead of two. Despite these changes, South Africa's electoral system retains its two-tier multimember compensatory proportional representation system.
As the nation stands at the threshold of this monumental election, the Commission encourages all eligible voters, including South African citizens abroad, to actively participate. Stakeholders, especially voters, have been prepared through extensive voter education programs.
The 2024 National and Provincial Elections mark a pivotal moment, possibly the last under the current system. Post-election, the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel will commence an investigation, making non-binding recommendations for future electoral system reforms. The active participation of the youth, engagement of stakeholders, and the celebration of 30 years of electoral democracy underscore the significance of this historic event.
