The local government election timetable was published in the Government Gazette on Friday, signalling the countdown to election day on May 18.
This follows Thursday’s proclamation of the election date by acting Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Briefing the media in Pretoria, the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) CEO, Pansy Tlakula, said the commission met representatives of political parties for consultation about the election timetable.
“The commission subsequently approved the election timetable, which outlines the electoral processes until election day,” said Tlakula.
Political parties
The briefing was also attended by various political parties who were due to attend a party national liaison committee meeting.
Certification and inspection of the voters’ roll is set for March 18.
Political parties and independent candidates have to notify the IEC about their intentions to contest elections by March 25. The dates will also include the submission of nomination lists of candidates and payment of deposits.
Tlakula said the submission of applications for special votes will commence on April 15 and close on May 3. Casting thereof was scheduled to take place between 8am to 5pm on May 16, while home visits by officials will take place the next day.
She appealed to organs of civil society to join in the efforts of the IEC to promote “maximum participation” in the municipal elections. — Sapa