Pressure is mounting for President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce the widely anticipated elections date during his State of the Nation address (Sona) this week. The announcement of the election date is eagerly awaited by political parties who are facing a logistical nightmare without this information.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), for example, has been forced to keep its candidates list under wraps until the date is officially announced. In a recent memorandum, the party warned members that any discussion or leak regarding the candidates list would be considered a breach of party policy and could lead to disciplinary action.
Other parties, like ActionSA, are also eagerly waiting for Ramaphosa’s announcement. However, they have faced challenges due to legislative changes that need to be made following a constitutional court judgment about independent candidates. Despite this, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reassured that they are ready to conduct the elections whenever the date is announced.
The ANC, on the other hand, is in the process of conducting interviews with potential MPs and provincial premiers. They plan to announce their premier candidates following the release of their manifesto on 24 February.
However, the delay in announcing the election date has caused frustration among various political parties. The African Transformation Movement (ATM), for example, highlighted the need for adequate planning in order to effectively reach their constituents and voter base. Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema also criticized Ramaphosa for the delay, stating that there is no logical reason for prolonging the announcement.
Ultimately, the announcement of the election date remains the prerogative of the president. While the parties eagerly await the announcement, the IEC has been encouraging potential voters to register online through their portals.
In conclusion, the pressure is mounting for President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce the long-awaited election date. Political parties are eager to receive this information in order to plan their campaigns and finalise their candidates’ lists. Meanwhile, the IEC remains ready to conduct the elections whenever the date is announced.