A poor turnout of residents at voter registration sites for the municipal elections on September 18 and 19 could be linked to online registration.
This is according to IEC officials at the various sites in Benoni.
A registration weekend takes the voter registration process into communities where eligible citizens reside.
The Benoni Baptist Church, Belverdere Special School as well as the Gauteng Eastern Tennis Club were identified as the three sites for registration in Benoni.
The City Times visited two of the three sites.
According to an official at the Belvedere Special School, only 40 people had been assisted when the City Times visited the site at 14:00 on September 18.
“A few have come to register, while most people came to check their voting status,” the official said.
The Benoni Baptist Church assisted 114 people on both days, until noon on September 19.
“We assisted many first-time voters, those who had trouble registering online and people who have moved, but most people seem to have opted to check their voting status online,” an official said.
“We also think that people were discouraged by the change of the dates for the registration weekend and the Covid-19 pandemic remains a factor.”
All registration staff and stations adhered to strict Covid-19 protocols.
The online registration service closes at midnight tonight (September 20) to coincide with the proclamation and closure of the voters’ roll for the 2021 municipal elections on November 1.
Services such as checking your registration status and special votes applications will remain available.
Go to the Electoral Commission of South Africa website to register, change details and check your registration status – www.elections.org.za
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