Are your voting details up to date?

With local government elections set for October 27, the IEC will host its national voter registration weekend on July 31 and August 1.

Initially meant to be held on the weekend of July 17 and 18, the voter registration weekend was postponed by two weeks in light of the third wave of the Covid-19 affecting the country.

Factors taken into consideration by the IEC for the postponement included the rate of Covid-19 infections and the number of hospitalisations.

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In a statement on its website, the IEC explained it had postponed the date to the latest possible date.

“The two-week postponement will have a knock-on effect on certain dates and activities associated with the proclamation and election, including delaying proclamation by four days until August 6,” read the statement.

“However, the commission remains confident that successful elections can be held within a reduced election timetable of 82 days rather than the original 86 days.”

Following the postponement to the end of July, voting stations will be open to assist new voters to register and existing voters to verify and, where necessary, update their registration details.

Across the country, all 23 146 voting stations will be open from 08:00 to 17:00.

Voters who have moved house since the last election as well as those with incorrect, incomplete or missing addresses must update their details.

The IEC reminded voters that registration weekend is the only general voter registration opportunity for voters to register and check their registration at their voting stations.

However, ongoing voter registration will continue during working hours at local IEC offices until the elections are proclaimed (published in the Government Gazette).

Additionally, registered voters can still amend their registration details through the “Click, Check, Confirm” functionality on the IEC website.

To register as a voter, you must be
• At least 16 years old.
• A South African citizen.
• In possession of a valid South African ID document, either a green barcoded ID book or a smartcard ID.

As someone registering to vote eligible voters will have to visit the voting station in person. A proof of address (e.g. in the form of a utility account) is not required for registration.

At the voting station, eligible voters will fill out a registration form and have their ID scanned.

Registering from abroad
The Electoral Amendment Act 2013 gave all South African citizens the right to register and vote in the national elections while abroad.

To apply for registration while out of the country, eligible voters must visit their nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate-general during their normal office hours.

The IEC said it is not possible to register or vote at honorary consulates or liaison offices.

Like registration in SA, registration abroad must be done before the elections are proclaimed to be able to vote in that election.

To register abroad eligible voters will have to take their original valid SA passport as well as their valid form of SA ID.

You’re registered, so now what
Once eligible, voters have registered they may have to wait up to seven days to see, on the IEC’s system, if the registration was a success.

The IEC said if it has been longer than seven days since the application for registration was made and the IEC system still says the individual is not registered, then an email with the affected person’s ID number and contact info must be sent to webmaster@elections.org.za

Only registered voters 18 years old and older can vote in elections.

The IEC reminds voters they must be registered at a voting station in the ward in which they are an ordinary residents and must provide an address or detailed description of a place of residence.

In light of the pandemic, all those visiting a voting station in person to register or update their details must wear a mask or appropriate face covering and observe social distancing.

Hand sanitising facilities, as well as stationery, will be provided at each voting station.

Voters wishing to bring a pen are encouraged to do so even though pens will be provided and sanitized routinely.

Where to find more information
• Eligible voters can find out more about where, when and how to register by visiting www.elections.org.za
• Alternatively, phone the LGE 2021 Contact Centre 0800 11 8000 or email info@elections.org.za
• Voters can seek assistance on the IEC’s Facebook page or through the Twitter account (@IECSouthAfrica).
• Existing voters can check their registration details on the website or by SMSing their ID number to 32810 (cost R1).

IEC urged all eligible voters and first-time voters to make use of the one-and-only registration weekend or the online portal to prepare for the October elections.

The IEC called on political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, business and labour organisations, faith-based organisations and all other stakeholders to encourage voter registration.

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za