Local Government Elections: Ramaphosa declares public holiday

It’s official, the local government election voting day will be a public holiday as we had all anticipated.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement on Monday declaring Monday 1 November 2021 – the date for local government elections – as a public holiday throughout the country. He made the announcement in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994.

Acting Spokesperson to the President, Tyrone Seale, said in a statement on Monday that Ramaphosa had urged all registered voters to take advantage of the holiday to exercise their right to vote in the elections.

“The President calls on all registered voters to use the opportunity of the public holiday to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by voting in this election that empowers citizens to elect new leadership and influence service delivery where they live,” Seale said.

“Voters are reminded as well that they will only be able to cast their votes at the polling stations in wards where they are registered. In the event that voters may consider travel, they will not be able to transfer their votes to voting stations away from their designated wards,” Seale added.

“The President urges voters to ensure that they adhere to the COVID-19 health regulations as they exercise their vote,” he said.

He added that the Ramaphosa had also urged all employers to make provision for their employees to exercise their constitutional right to vote on 1 November.