‘Declare election day a public holiday’

The Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has asked Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to request President Cyril Ramaphosa, to declare the day of the local government elections, on November 1, a public holiday.

Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo announced yesterday that the IEC had written to Motsoaledi to facilitate the request.

“This intervention is aimed at affording all voters an equal footing to participate in the elections without being encumbered by business and employment considerations on the day of voting,” Mamabolo said.

He said the IEC was grateful that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga adjusted the national senior certificate exams timetable to accommodate the November 1 polls.

“This gesture from the minister will enable young voters who are writing these examinations to participate in the elections,” said Mamabolo.

The IEC also assured voters that voter registration stations would be safe and that the necessary preventative measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 would be in place in more than 23 100 registration stations across the country this weekend.