By Gaye Davis
Independent Political Bureau
South Africans will go to the polls in the country's fourth democratic elections on Wednesday, April 22, President Kgalema Motlanthe has announced.
He named the day in Parliament this afternoon, when replying to debate on his State of the Nation Address last Friday.
Motlanthe stressed, however, that the date would only be formally proclaimed - by way of publication in the Government Gazette - later.
"We believe the 22nd of April to be an appropriate date. It's mid-week, on a Wednesday, and we have agreed on this date with the IEC and all the provincial premiers," Motlanthe said.
Motlanthe said: "As we enter the season of elections, once again, we call upon all our people to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with our democratic ethos.
"Let us expand the floor for political tolerance, ensuring that whatever we do we guarantee a climate of freedom of assembly, expression, and association.
"The right of all political parties to campaign in a politically free atmosphere must be respected at all times."