Tough luck to those choosing holiday over polls
March 26, 2004 Edition -1
Kristy Siegfried
South Africans are not letting elections get in the way of their travel plans over the Easter break.
Travel agents report that bookings over the traditionally busy Easter period have not been noticeably impacted by the holding of elections immediately after the long weekend.
Thompson's Leisure Travel said they were sold out of flights and accommodation for that period. In fact, said Derryn Lendrum, reservations manager for Thompson's: "We're busier than normal."
The Wednesday after Easter weekend is traditionally when schools reopen, but as April 14 has been declared a public holiday, students will have an extra day of freedom. The Independent Electoral Commission is counting on most of their workers who are parents being back at work by Tuesday.
Norman du Plessis, deputy chief electoral officer of the IEC, explained that the Easter holiday was not a major factor in selecting an election date.
The primary concern was to ensure the presidential inauguration would coincide with celebrations marking South Africa's 10 years of democracy on April 27.
The IEC has made provisions for voters travelling within the country on the 14th. They will be able to cast their votes for the national elections at any polling station as long as they present proof of their voter registration and fill out a form.
Du Plessis emphasised that the provision was not intended for holiday-makers, but for people who are travelling for work.
Speaking for the ANC's Gauteng office, Hope Papo said his party had no problem with the date.
The Democratic Alliance's national campaign chairperson, James Selfe, said his party's fears that voter numbers would be impacted by the Easter holidays had only been partially alleviated by the IEC's provisions.
