National Assembly paves the way for general elections

The National Assembly has adopted a motion to dissolve parliament before its five-year term officially expires ahead of the May general elections.

During his state of the nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he intends to proclaim May 8 2019 for the sixth democratic election. But the term of parliament officially comes to an end on May 20, 12 days after the election.

This is the second time since the dawn of SA democracy that parliament has been dissolved before its term officially expires.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu tabled the motion, in terms of section 50(1) of the constitution, and it was unanimously adopted on Thursday. This section of the constitution deals with the dissolution of the National Assembly before expiry of its term, and states that the president must dissolve it if the assembly has adopted a resolution with a supporting vote of a majority of its members.

Parliament said once the president had dissolved the House, he will then proclaim the date of the elections.

“The House remains competent to function from the time it is dissolved until the day before the first day of polling for the next National Assembly,” it said.

Mthembu said parliament has to be dissolved because the election cannot be held while the current parliamentary term is still in session. He said the proclamation of the election date by Ramaphosa is scheduled to take place on February 26.

This officially kicks off the campaign run to the most highly contested election since 1994. As soon as the election date is published in the Government Gazette, the voters’ roll for the elections is closed and the official elections timetable starts.

This means that unregistered voters still have until next week Tuesday to register.

Mthembu said the adopted resolution to dissolve parliament also suspends National Assembly Rule 333 (2) and 351 to prevent bills and other business from lapsing when the House is dissolved.

The work of the National Assembly will  continue until March 20, when the House rises. 

Parliament said members of the National Council of Provinces, on the other hand, will rise on March 28, but will remain in office until after the scheduled elections, until the day of the first sitting of the provincial legislatures. 

quintalg@businesslive.co.za