S. Africa Sets Contentious Local Polls For November 1
Muhammad Irfan Published September 09, 2021 | 12:22 AM
South Africa's controversial local elections will be held on November 1, the government announced Wednesday, setting the ball rolling for polls expected to reflect widespread disillusionment with the long-ruling African National Congress
Johannesburg, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Sep, 2021 ) :South Africa's controversial local elections will be held on November 1, the government announced Wednesday, setting the ball rolling for polls expected to reflect widespread disillusionment with the long-ruling African National Congress.
The vote for municipal representatives -- initially set for October 27 -- will take place in the aftermath of deadly unrest and looting that followed the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma in July, the worst bout of violence in South Africa since the end of apartheid.
It will test the popularity of the embattled African National Congress (ANC) party, divided into factions in the face of corruption allegations against some of its senior officials, including Zuma.
Rolling coronavirus restrictions of the past 18 months have also worsened unemployment and inequality in an already ailing economy.
"These elections are taking place in unusual conditions," Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told a virtual press briefing, referring to anti-Covid measures.
The ANC led the fight against apartheid and has ruled the country since the advent of democracy 27 years ago.
But it is struggling to regain its former glory and suffered an unprecedented drop in votes during general elections in 2019.
It had also fared poorly in 2016 local polls, losing the administrative capital Pretoria and financial capital Johannesburg.
In July, diehard Zuma supporters staged violent unrest and were joined by ordinary citizens in ransacking shopping malls and warehouses, dealing a crippling blow to the economy and its attractivity to investors.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called the riots an attempted insurrection.
A poll by global research group Ipsos released this week found that less than half of surveyed registered voters were likely to cast their ballot for the ANC in the upcoming elections.
The electoral commission (IEC) had suggested postponing the polls to 2022 because of the pandemic, but the Constitutional Court dismissed the move, ordering that they be held by November 1.
The attempt to delay the vote raised eyebrows among opposition parties, particularly after the ANC failed to register hundreds of candidates before an August 23 deadline because of striking staff and technical glitches.
Critics have accused the IEC of bias over the extension.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
Famine-threatened Sudan's 'race against time' to plant crops
35 seconds ago -
Microsoft, Google earnings shine as AI drives revenue
20 minutes ago -
Man City crush Brighton to close gap on Arsenal in title race
21 minutes ago -
Atletico face Bilbao challenge in Champions League race
30 minutes ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
31 minutes ago -
Japan anime studio draws on talent of autistic artists
50 minutes ago
-
Pakistan needs strong defence in view of its location in 'rough' neighbourhood: Masood Khan
51 minutes ago -
Bangladesh children sweat at home as heatwave shuts schools
1 hour ago -
Iconic shared Olympic gold moment will not be repeated, says Barshim
1 hour ago -
Bangladesh children sweat at home as heatwave shuts schools
2 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
2 hours ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
2 hours ago