Keep calm and cast your vote: Zuma

President Jacob Zuma has urged all registered voters to cast their ballots in this week’s local government elections.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma on Monday urged all registered South African voters to cast their ballots in the local government elections on Wednesday.

In a statement, the presidency said that the elections were poised to be the largest in the country’s history and that voting was a precious right as the “victory over apartheid and the right to vote by all South Africans was not an easy achievement”.

“We are encouraged that for the first time in our history, this election will see 200 political parties and over 61 000 candidates participating, which reflects the maturity of our democracy that continues to reflect the will of the people,” the presidency said in a statement.

“Of importance is that 2016 also marks the 20th year of our Constitution, which makes the election another key celebration of our hard won freedom and democracy as South Africans. We urge all 26 million registered voters across the length and breadth of our country to speak, give direction and refresh the mandate of the third sphere of government through voting on 3 August 2016.

“All registered voters must celebrate democracy and freedom by turning out to vote on the 3rd of August.”

The presidency said that security would remain highly visible on polling day to ensure that no one is prevented from voting.

African News Agency