A guide to the 2024 elections

On Wednesday May 29th, South Africans will vote in national and provincial elections to elect a new National Assembly, which will then choose the president for the next five years.

Here are the key facts:

·????????Voting Date: May 29, 2024 (Public Holiday)

·????????Voting Hours: 7AM to 9PM

·????????Population: 62 million

·????????Registered Voters: 27.79 million

·????????Polling Stations: 23,292

·????????Provinces: 9

·????????Municipalities: 257

·????????Minimum Voting Age: 18

What do you need to vote?

Registered voters must vote at the polling station to which they are registered. You will need either a green bar-coded ID book, a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) or the new smartcard ID. Driver’s licenses will not be accepted.

Bringing your own black pen is advisable to avoid delays.

How Does the Election Work?

South Africa uses a Proportional Voting System to decide the 400 seats in the National Assembly.

This year, for the first time in SA’s democratic history, Independent candidates can compete. Therefore, there will be three ballots:

1.??????National Ballot (Blue): 200 seats, voters choose one of 52 political parties.

2.??????Regional National Assembly Ballot (Orange): 200 seats, unique to each province, voters choose a party or independent candidate.

3.??????Provincial Legislature Ballot (Pink): Unique to each province, voters choose parties and independent candidates.

What does the National Assembly look like now?

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Since 2019, the National Assembly is composed as follows:

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·???????? ANC: 230 seats (57.5%)

·???????? DA: 84 seats (21%)

·???????? EFF: 44 seats (11%)

·???????? IFP: 14 seats (3.5%)

·???????? Others: 28 seats across 10 parties.

Election results

The last day for the IEC to declare the election results is 5th June. However, since 2004, the pattern has been that after the vote on a Wednesday, the IEC declares the results and seats on Saturday (1st June). The declaration of results is expected via a live broadcast event, addressed by the President.

Within 14 days of the announcement, the 400 MPs are to be sworn in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, followed by election of the House Speaker, and subsequently the Deputy Speaker.

Finally, MPs will vote on the election of the new South African President.

The president is elected by the 400 members of the National Assembly.

President Cyril Ramaphosa (ANC) will likely secure a second term if the ANC wins over 50% of the seats (201 or more). However, opinion polls suggest the ANC may not secure a majority, potentially leading to coalition governance with other parties.

The outcome of this election could influence South Africa's economic landscape significantly.

We encourage all eligible voters to play your part in writing South Africa’s history!

#SouthAfricaElections2024 #IWM

Visuals courtesy of Al Jazeera. Link below for more information:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/27/south-africa-elections-2024-explained-in-maps-and-charts