Pretoria - Government has reiterated its call to all South Africans to participate in the 2014 elections on Wednesday, May 7.
“In the spirit of the year-long celebration of 20 Years of Freedom, government joins the nation in anticipating a peaceful day of voting countrywide.
“To help ensure this happens, Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster have visited various parts of the country in the last two weeks to determine the state of readiness of the various security structures on the ground,” said Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO Phumla Williams on Monday.
During these visits, ministers interacted with the security structures on the ground, met with community leaders and interacted directly with communities. They have assured the nation that voting will take place in a safe environment.
Wednesday has been declared a public holiday to allow citizens to cast their votes at their respective polling stations.
Williams urged businesses that open on holidays to allow their employees to exercise their democratic to vote.
“This is an important and exciting time for South Africans, especially those who have registered to vote for the first time. It is another opportunity for South African voters to determine the future of this country.
“Twenty years into this democracy, South Africa is now a better place to live in. The 2014 elections take place in a country that has made great strides in changing the lives of South Africans. Many people have died to achieve this democratic freedom. We owe it to them to come out in our numbers to vote on Wednesday,” she said.
All voting stations will be open from 7am to 9pm. – SAnews.gov.za
