JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 25– The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa on Tuesday launched the 2024 national and provincial elections campaign at the Gallagher Conference Center in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, and declared its readiness to host the elections. “Today, we stand proud as the pre-eminent constitutionally-mandated body that manages elections and makes bold that we are ready for the 2024 national and provincial elections. We urge you to actively participate in the registration weekends and exercise your responsibility as engaged citizens who choose their own representatives,” Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC Sy Mamabolo said when launching the elections campaign. For the first time, independent candidates will contest for seats at the national and provincial elections after President Cyril Ramaphosa assented to the new law allowing the participation of independent candidates in April 2023, Mamabolo said. The IEC reiterated its commitment to opening nearly all voting stations for the weekend of Nov. 18 and Nov. 19, 2023, calling on South Africans to use its online portal for registration, verification and updates. Mamabolo said the elections are likely to be between May and the middle of August 2024.
Xinhua
