COGTA minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has announced November 01 2021 as the new date for the upcoming 2021 Local Government Elections, after the Constitutional Court last week rejected a request to delay them until early next year to allow more time for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had sought a delay of several months, saying it would be hard to organise a free and election with the pandemic raging.
Dlamini-Zuma, minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, told a virtual briefing that the new date had been chosen in coordination with the IEC to allow the maximum possible time to prepare.
The new date would be officially proclaimed later in September following a voter registration weekend to be held by the IEC, which the court authorised to boost voter rolls.
“It’s the first time elections will be held on a Monday (instead of a Wednesday) – this is because the IEC asked for the outermost date to give them enough time for preparations,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
“They need every minute and every hour.”
Dlamini-Zuma added that political parties would be able to campaign but would have to adhere to COVID-19 regulations.
“The President will talk to the nation but there are still ongoing consultations,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
Following the court’s judgement, the commission also re-opened the registration process for candidates – a boost for the ANC which had failed to register candidates on time in dozens of municipalities.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has filed a court challenge to the IEC’s decision to re-open candidate registrations.
Dlamini-Zuma, who is due to submit an affidavit to the court on the issue, declined to comment on it.
- Inside Politics
