Zuma signs elections proclamation
President Jacob Zuma on Friday signed a proclamation declaring May 7 as the date for the national elections, the presidency said.
"The proclamation by the president, setting 7 May 2014 as the date of the National Assembly elections, will be published in the Government Gazette on 25 February 2014," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
"The premiers of the provinces are duly expected to issue proclamations calling and setting the 7th of May 2014 as the date for the provincial legislature elections in their respective provinces."
Zuma, in terms of section 2A of the Public Holiday Act, declared the day a public holiday.
Eligible voters had until the official proclamation of the election date to register.
"According to section 24(1) of the Electoral Act, 1998, the voters roll will close on the day the election is proclaimed, which will be the 25th of February," said Maharaj.
Earlier this month, Zuma announced the date of the fifth national general.
The Independent Electoral Commission said once the proclamation was published it would issue an election timetable.
The timetable would give deadlines for submissions of candidate lists by political parties and applications for special votes, among others.
After consultation with political parties in the national party liaison committee, the IEC would publish the full election timetable in the Government Gazette.
- Sapa