The 2021 municipal elections are less than a week away and with them come a lot of new norms.
These new norms include the fact that, unlike previous years, the election is on a Monday and not a Wednesday. People have to social distance in the already long queues, sanitise and wear a mask at all times.
Though there are new norms to voting brought forth by the global pandemic, there are certain norms that remain unchanged, which include the process of voting. In case you might have forgotten or you are a first-time voter, here is a little guide on how voting works on Election Day:
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• On Election Day, go to the voting station at which you’re registered (check your voter registration status on the IEC websites to find out where you’re registered). During national and provincial elections, you can vote at any station countrywide but, if you vote at a station outside the province in which you’re registered, you can only vote in the national election.
• Show your green, bar-coded, South African ID book or a temporary identification certificate to the voting officer.
• The voting officer checks that your name appears on the voters’ roll. If you are not on the voters’ roll but have proof that you have registered (eg registration sticker), the presiding officer must validate your proof of registration. If he/she is satisfied with the proof, you must complete a VEC4 form (national elections) or MEC7 form (municipal elections) and will then be allowed to continue as an ordinary voter.
• Once the voting officer is satisfied that you have the correct ID, are a registered voter and have not already voted, your name is marked off the roll, your ID is stamped on the second page and your thumbnail is inked.
• The voting officer stamps the back of the correct number of official ballot papers (one per election) and gives them to you.
• Take your ballot paper/s to an empty ballot booth, mark the ballot paper, fold it so that your choice isn’t visible and place the ballot paper in the ballot box. Note: You can only vote once in each election.
Physically disabled voters
If you are physically disabled or visually impaired, you can choose someone to help you at the voting station.
The presiding officer can also help you cast your vote, but an observer and, if available, two agents from different parties must be present.
Incorrect ballots
If you incorrectly mark a ballot paper and realise this BEFORE placing the paper in the ballot box, just ask the presiding officer for a new ballot paper. Please make sure that the incorrect ballot paper is marked as “cancelled”.
Once your ballot has been placed in the ballot box, it can’t be removed.
Objections
You should object if a voter has been given too many ballot papers or refused a ballot paper, or you have complaints about the conduct of a voting officer, party agent or any other person present.
How to object
Let the presiding officer know that you want to make an objection. The presiding officer will give you the relevant form to fill in.
What happens next?
The presiding officer or counting officer must:
• Investigate the objection
• Record the finding on the written objection
• Inform the objector of the decision and
• Keep a record of each objection.
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