ANC CALLS ON EMPLOYERS TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHT ON 18 MAY 2011

The African National Congress (ANC) notes with dismay the reports that certain employers would not release their employees to freely cast their votes in the Local Government Elections on 18 May 2011. This borders on undermining the laws of our land and the integrity of our local sphere of government.

All registered voters should be allowed to cast their votes and are entitled to full support of their employers in this endeavour. That is why President Jacob Zuma declared Wednesday, 18 May 2011 - a national holiday to allow time and space for the voters to cast their votes for the councillor of their choice in their municipality.

Because voting is an important measure of democracy, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) even created space for all registered voters, whom for whatever reasons and official responsilities would not be able to cast their vote on 18 May 2011, to register for special vote. This is to ensure that a maximum number of voters cast their votes and thus legitimise govarnance of their municipalities.

The ANC calls on employers in all sectors to allow workers, whom for whatever conditions would be working on that day, to exercise their democratic right to vote. If the workers have to be at work for whatever reason, arrangements must be made to release them to go and cast their vote and return to work to perform their duties. This is important for our democratic state and our democratic ethos.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, May 11 2011

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