Parliament calls for peaceful participation in elections as special voting begins
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called on all registered voters to go out to the polling stations on Wednesday because local government is essential to improving their quality of life.
Babalo Ndenze
A woman casts her ballot at a polling station as South Africans are urged to vote in local government elections and hold elected representatives accountable for service delivery. (Picture credit: ververidis/123rf)
ververidis/123rf
The presiding officers of Parliament have encouraged South Africans to come out in their numbers and peacefully exercise their democratic right to vote, as special voting got underway on Monday.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, are also calling on voters to familiarise themselves with candidates and parties contesting the local government election.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called on all registered voters to go out to the polling stations on Wednesday because local government is essential to improving their quality of life.
The presiding officers of parliament have reminded South Africans that democratic participation does not end at the ballot box.
They said that residents have a "continuing responsibility" to engage their local councillors, participate in municipal planning as well as budgeting processes.
They've also emphasised that voting is not just about electing councillors but also about determining who will represent communities, oversee municipal service delivery and hold administrations accountable.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said,
"As special voting begins, the presiding officers wish all eligible special voters well and urge those voting on 4 November, particularly young and first-time voters, to participate peacefully, responsibly and in large numbers."
Writing in his weekly newsletter, President Cyril Ramaphosa said municipal failures have contributed to declining public trust in democratic governance, and this election is an opportunity to turn this around.