S African president declares election date

CAPE TOWN - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday declared May 8, 2019 as the date of the National Assembly election.

In terms of the Constitution, the president has dissolved the National Assembly to pave way for the general election, his office said.

Last week, the National Assembly adopted a resolution to dissolve itself ahead of the election.

In a related development, all provincial premiers also declared May 8, 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures.

In order to facilitate voting and encourage more voters to exercise their right to vote, Ramaphosa also declared May 8, 2019 a public holiday throughout the country.

This will be the sixth general election since the end of the apartheid system in 1994. This election will determine who will become the next president of South Africa. In light of the Constitution, the head of a political party will automatically become president of the country if the party wins the election.

Incumbent Ramaphosa, who is also president of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), will attempt to retain majority status and a full term in office as president.

Ramaphosa took over presidency from Jacob Zuma who resigned from office in February 2018 over corruption scandals.

The upcoming election is expected to be the most contested one since 1994, as the ANC has been struggling with challenges including poor economic performance, high unemployment rate, widening inequality, rising crime and rampant corruption.