#IMadeMyMark: Voting station do’s and don’ts on Election Day

With the 2019 general elections coming up on May 8, here are the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) voting station do’s and don’ts on election day for voters, party agents, and candidates within the boundary of the voting station.

Also read: A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION

To ensure that everything runs smoothly when you make your mark, take note of the following guidelines.

Voter do’s:

• Vote in the voting district where you are registered.

You should be registered in a voting district where you live.

It’s important to note that if you’re outside your voting district on Election Day, you may be eligible to vote at another voting station in South Africa.

However, if you’re outside the province where you’re registered, you’ll only be able to vote in the national election and not the provincial election.

In both of these scenarios, you will be required to provide proof of registration and complete a form (VEC 4) at the voting station.

• Be 18 years or older, registered to vote or have proof of registration.

Bring your green bar-coded ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC), along with the application sticker pasted when you applied for registration.

If you have a smart card ID, just to be sure, bring the special form that was given to you upon registering.

This barcode will be scanned to verify your position on the voter’s roll.

• Voters may wear party apparel of their respective parties on Election Day.

Voter don’ts:

• Do not interrupt the work of the voting station staff.

• Do not bring any weapons to the voting station.

• Do not campaign for your political party or candidates within the boundaries of the voting station.

• Do not take a photographic image of the marked ballot papers.

Party agents and candidates within the boundary of the voting station.

Do’s:

• A party agent must present a letter of appointment to the presiding officer upon arrival at the voting station.

• Always have the party agent identification tag affixed to your outer clothing, on the upper left side of the body.

• Monitor and observe voting, counting processes, determination and declaration of results.

• Lodge objections in a prescribed manner where you believe the presiding officer did not apply the prescripts of the law correctly.

• Respect the secrecy of the vote and the right of voters to vote without undue influence.

• Respect the authority of the presiding officer as the person in charge of the voting and counting station.

• Respect the right of other party agents and candidates to observe voting and counting processes.

• Avail yourself for consultation on the establishment of the voting station boundaries by the presiding officer.

• Maintain an orderly presence within the voting and counting station.

• Sign the completed result slip to confirm the number of votes attributed to your party or candidate.

Don’ts:

• Do not wear any party apparel within the voting station boundaries.

• Do not campaign for your party or candidates on election day within the boundaries of a voting station.

• Do not display or distribute any billboard, poster, placard or pamphlet.

• Do not attempt to induce, influence or persuade a person to vote for or not to vote for a particular party or candidate.

• Do not attempt to induce, influence or persuade a person not to vote.

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