IN OTHER NEWS BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE
Free & Fair
ELECTIONS
PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN OCTOBER 2021
O
n 21 April, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Wednesday, 27 October 2021, as the date on which local government elections will take place.
local government elections will lay the foundation for development and service delivery - which will directly impact districts and the lives of all community members.
“This will be the sixth time under South Africa’s democratic dispensation that voters will elect leadership and public representatives at metropolitan, district and local level”, said the Presidency in a recent statement. “The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will follow the necessary legal process to proclaim the date and undertake other requirements.” President Ramaphosa has
encouraged all eligible citizens, with an emphasis put on first-time voters, to take special care in ensuring that they’re properly registered to vote in the elections. These upcoming
Political parties were also invited to raise any issues or concerns regarding the elections including the impact of COVID-19 This early announcement ensures that the Electoral Commission and all other stakeholders have enough time to begin all preparations geared towards making the elections free, fair and safe. LGE in Sight On 22 April, the Electoral Commission met with leaders and representatives of political parties in
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the National Party Liaison Committee to talk through a range of themes relating to the elections. Included in the conversation, was the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and Mr Njabulo Nzuza, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. “The meeting is part of our on-going consultations and engagements with all the key stakeholders to plan and prepare for the elections”, said Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo. “The meeting discussed, among others, the date announced by the President, progress in the
administrative planning for the elections, and issues related to the health and safety of participants under the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Political parties were
