Voter registration proceeded smoothly throughout the entire ward in Boksburg.
All voting stations opened on time and IEC officials were fairly prepared for the task.
However, a few issues of concern did crop up at Parkrand voting station relating to confusion over where voters living in Parklands and the adjacent enclosed estate should register.
In one specific case a voter’s particulars was entirely wiped off the voters roll.
This resident and her husband took some time out on Saturday afternoon to visit the Parkrand voting station to check their particulars on the voters roll only to find out that her name does not appear on the voters roll despite the fact that she did vote in May 2014.
DA party agent Ivan Tyler had his hands full in convincing this resident to re-register as a voter as she has lost complete trust in the IEC.
I had to intervene personally in those cases to assist the IEC officials to explain to voters how the demarcation board arrived at the newly demarcated boundaries within our ward.
Voters were clearly agitated when sent from pillar to post by visibly confused IEC officials.
According to the DA’s database, there were until the past weekend about 3 600 unregistered voters in Ward 32.
We set ourselves a target of getting at least 37 per cent of unregistered voters out to register.
I am pleased to report that 33 per cent of unregistered voters did register or re-registered over the past voters registration weekend.
Of concern to me is the apathy of most voters who take it for granted that their names do appear in the voters roll simply because they have voted in May 2014.
I would like to urge all voters to visit the IEC office at the Boksburg municipality building to verify their particulars because incomplete particulars on the voters roll may disqualify voters to vote in this all important upcoming local government elections.
To check whether and where you are registered, please SMS your identity number to 32810. You will receive a replying SMS containing your details.
