Hon members, before I put the motion, I wish to use this opportunity to share with the House a letter from the hon the President of the Republic of South Africa in the same matter. Dissolution of the National Assembly, I received this letter and it is dated 20 February because we received it today. On 7 February 2019, during the state of the nation address, I announced that the general elections will be held on 8 May 2019. The Constitution requires that the government at all levels to support the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC, in the discharge of its mandate. As part of its mandate the IEC is required by law to set up and publish an electoral timetable. This timetable is dependent on the date of proclamation of the election's date.
Accordingly, we need to ensure that the dissolution of all the legislatures and the consequent proclamation of
the election date are properly co-ordinated. The legislatures should adopt the resolutions to dissolve before 26 February 2019. The premiers must all then ensure that the election proclamations are published by Tuesday, 26 February 2019.
Kindly note that according to section 49(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the National Assembly remains competent to function from the time it is dissolved, until the day before the first day of polling for the next Assembly. I have sent a similar letter to the premiers of all provinces. Your urgent attention to the matter will be highly appreciated. Yours Sincerely, Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.
Hon members, having read this letter and having heard the motion from the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, I now put the motion. Are there any objections?
HON MEMBERS: No.