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Public holiday on local elections date

27 June 2016

The date of the 2016 local government elections, 3 August 2016, has been declared a public holiday.

This would enable all South Africans who are eligible to vote to exercise their right on the day, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

President Zuma declares 3 August 2016 a public holiday https://t.co/eq0oTfJcES

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) June 24, 2016

"Voting is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution," he said. "It is important that citizens are granted an opportunity to exercise this right freely. This is particularly so when they elect this sphere of government that is closest to them."

All eligible voters are encourage to go out to vote on 3 August 2016.

This year marks 16 years of democratic local government in South Africa.

Source: South African Government News Agency