21 February 2019

Today the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion by the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, comrade Jackson Mthembu, to dissolve the Assembly in terms of section 50 (1) of the Constitution relating to the dissolution of the Assembly before the expiry of its term.

The resolution is informed by the announcement made by President Ramaphosa on 07 February 2019, that the national and provincial government elections will take place on 08 May 2019. Due to the fact that the Fifth Parliament was convened on 21 May 2014, its five-year term officially ends on 20 May 2019. Therefore, the elections date of 08 May 2019 falls within the active five-year term of the Fifth Parliament. Parliament therefore has to be dissolved because we cannot hold elections while the current Parliamentary term is still in session.

This therefore means that South Africans have until close of business on Tuesday, 26 February 2019 to register to vote. We therefore urge all unregistered voters to go their nearest IEC officers to register to vote ANC in the upcoming national and provincial government elections.

The adopted resolution suspends NA Rule 333 (2) and 351 to prevent Bills and other business from lapsing when the House is dissolved. Thus meaning that the work of the National Assembly continues until the House rises on the 20 March 2019 as per the adopted programme of the National Assembly.

Issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, comrade Jackson Mthembu.

Enquiries:

Nonceba Mhlauli
Spokesperson
0726233462