PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South African employers to observe 8 May, the day of National and Provincial elections, as a public holiday and encourage staff to use the day to exercise their right to vote.

Ramaphosa on Tuesday declared the day a public holiday.

In a statement, the Presidency said all Premiers have also declared 8 May 2019 as the date of the election of provincial legislatures.

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These proclamations have been published in the Government Gazette.

Welcoming the proclamation, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the development triggers the official election timetable which the Electoral Commission will discuss with the National Party Liaison Committee on Wednesday before publishing in the Government Gazette.

The IEC said the proposed election timetable spans the next 71 days and lays down the key dates and deadlines for various milestones until voting day on 8 May 2019.

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“The proclamation places the preparation of the elections into a different trajectory. It gives a greater impetus to the currently unfolding election preparations,” IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said on Tuesday.

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