The Electoral Commission has launched its 2024 national and provincial election campaign and has called on voters to register under the theme 'Your democracy, own it.'

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it is all systems go for next year's general elections -- the seventh in democratic South Africa -- which are being touted as a watershed moment in the country's history.

The declaration of readiness comes even though the IEC is embroiled in two legal challenges, both at the Constitutional Court, whose outcomes could have an adverse impact on the timeline of the elections.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said, "We all need to exercise patience to allow the judicial authorities the time they need to apply themselves on the matters that have either been referred or may have to be referred to them for determination."

On Tuesday, the IEC launched its election programme at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, under the theme "Your democracy, own it".

The campaign, which aims to encourage young and first-time voters to participate in the electoral process, was launched ahead of the registration weekend of 18-19 November.

For the first time in South Africa, independent candidates will be allowed to contest individually. This was made possible by the Electoral Amendment Act that became law in June and is being challenged in the Constitutional Court.

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