The minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Mr. David van Rooyen, will urgently have to ensure that problems with voters’ rolls are resolved so that the date for the forthcoming local government election can be determined, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, chairperson and MP of the FF Plus said.
Dr. Groenewald today stated in a member statement in Parliament that South Africa’s Constitution determines that a local government election’s date has to be fixed within 90 days from the date of the election held five year previously. This means that this year’s election must take place between 18 May and 17 August.
He said that if it is not held within the prescribed period, it would mean that the Constitution has to be amended.
“The FF Plus calls on the minister to urgently give attention to the problems surrounding the voters’ roll.
“Clarity should be given about this so that democracy in South Africa can be promoted. If the Constitution has to be amended, it would create the impression that democracy in South Africa is not put first and that the electoral process is a mess.
“The FF Plus therefore calls on the minister, who determines the date in consultation with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that an election date is determined as soon as possible,” Dr. Groenewald said.
According to Dr. Groenewald, the minister reacted positively to the FF Plus’ request during his response, saying that he would be doing everything in his power to ensure that the election takes place within the prescribed period.
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