South Africa : South Africa to take to the polls on 22 April

By Michael Appel

Parliament - South Africans will take to the polls to elect a new President on 22 April 2009, President Kgalema Motlanthe announced in Parliament only a short while ago.

"Honourable Speaker, I also take this opportunity to announce the date of the 4th National and Provincial Election for our country: 22 April 2009," said President Motlanthe, responding to the Parliamentary debate on the State of the Nation Address he delivered on Friday.

He, however, added that this date was not final. "I must, however, emphasise that the actual proclamation of this date will be made later."

The announcement of the election date comes as the Pretoria High Court on Monday found certain provisions of the Electoral Act unconstitutional and therefore invalid.

The judgement will now go to the Constitutional Court for confirmation or otherwise. The judgement will become final if and when it is confirmed by the Constitutional Court.

The application was made by a the Freedom Front Plus, on behalf of Willem Stephanus Richter, a South African living abroad who wants to be made eligible to vote.

Under current legislation, citizens who are temporarily absent from South Africa on the date of the election are not eligible to vote. It is only citizens in the employ of the Government of South Africa or on diplomatic missions that are eligible to vote at a polling station outside of South Africa.

The election date might be pushed back if the Constitutional Court rules in Mr Richter's favour as citizens living abroad will have to be given a chance to register as a voter.

Once an official date has been announced the voters roll is closed.

Analysts have said allowing South Africans temporarily living abroad to vote in the 2009 elections would be costly to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Speaking to BuaNews on Tuesday, Tshwane University Technology Political lecturer, Levy Ndou said it was a difficult situation as capacity and resources would be a critical question the Constitutional Court will need to consider.

However, those South African learners who were sent to study medicine abroad and teachers in the neighbouring countries should be given a chance to exercise their rights too.

He said it would be difficult to determine the number of South Africans living in other countries within a short period.

President Motlanthe said he hoped the incoming administration would continue make the lives of South African better. "The new government to be installed shortly after the election will carry the baton further, striving for a better life for all our people."

South Africa has held three free and fair general elections and the next general elections will only further deepen democracy in South Africa. - BuaNews