Issued by: Office of The President
In the light of queries from the media concerning the date of the election, it should be noted that the Constitution stipulates that the President must call and set a date for the election by way of Proclamation. In terms of the existing Constitutional provisions, such a proclamation can only be issued when the term of the National Assembly has expired.
In effect this prevents the President from announcing the date of the election before 30 April 1999.
Similar provisions govern the calling and setting of the date for the election of Provincial legislatures.
In order to avoid such late announcement of the election as these provisions require, constitutional amendments have been put before Parliament. If passed they will allow the President to set the date and call for National and Provincial Elections either before or after the expiry of the term of the legislatures.
The President is pleased with the enthusiasm being shown by all South Africans for the next election, especially the mass media. It is noticeable that the enthusiasm is building up among political parties as well as the public in general.
The 1999 elections will be an affirmation and strengthening of our democracy. It is therefore critical that they be organised effectively and that those charged with their organisation enjoy the full support of the government and the entire South African population. The President sends his words of encouragement to everyone involved in the preparation or organisation of the election.
South African might remind themselves of the short period within which the Independent Electoral Commission has had to prepare for this election. It is due to their dedication and sacrifice that we are destined to hold the elections on schedule.
Issued by the Office of the President 19 October 1998
More information: Mr Parks Mankahlana (012) 319 1512 082 553 4569