South Africans will head to the polls on 4 November for the country’s Local Government Elections, with the date now officially declared a public holiday.
The election date was gazetted and proclaimed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has subsequently declared 4 November a public holiday to allow citizens to participate in the elections.
The declaration was made in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act, which gives the President the authority to declare additional public holidays through a notice published in the Government Gazette.
The decision to hold the elections on 4 November was aimed, among other considerations, at encouraging voter participation while limiting disruption to schools and the matric examination period.
There had initially been concerns that the elections could interfere with matric examinations, particularly because schools are commonly used as voting stations.
However, discussions between Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and the Department of Home Affairs indicated that measures had been put in place to minimise disruptions.
Committee chairperson Mmusi Maimane said the IEC had confirmed that consultations with the Department of Basic Education had addressed concerns around the impact on matric learners.
“The IEC replied that through consultation with the Department of Basic Education, there will be minimal disruptions to matriculants as the day will be designated as a public holiday,” Maimane said.
The public holiday is expected to give voters across the country an opportunity to cast their ballots without having to balance their electoral responsibilities with normal work and school commitments.