The ANC denied a news report on Tuesday that early elections would be held on 25 March next year.

"Reports to the effect that the ANC has come up with a date are totally untrue," said African National Congress spokesperson Brian Sokutu.

He said it was the prerogative of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to set a date for the election.

"No political party can set the date for the elections... The ANC has not done so in the past three elections. Only the IEC is charged with setting a date for the elections.

"The ANC will not interfere with the work of the IEC," said Sokutu.

The Star reported that the national executive committee of the ANC decided at a meeting on Monday that national and provincial elections should be held on 25 March, which would be earlier than expected.

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said President Kgalema Motlanthe — who is also the deputy president of the ANC — would announce the date of the elections, in terms of the Electoral Act.

In a statement later on Tuesday, the ruling party said: "The ANC is engaged in internal discussions on possible dates for the election, should the views of political parties be sought on the matter".

"The ANC has not taken a decision on which date or dates it would suggest."

Sapa