IEC launches online platform for voters to register
“The IEC believes the online facility will be a game-changer in promoting voter registration especially among young and first-time voters,” she said.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) launched online voter registration facilities recently.
The online registration facility allows voters to register and existing voters to update or amend their registration from the convenience of their homes. This platform has been in development for a number of years.
According to Ms Kate Bapela, spokesman for the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the first phase was an online service known as ‘Click, Check, Confirm’ ahead of the 2019 national and provincial elections where existing voters were able to check and amend their registration.
“More than 350 000 voters made use of this system since its introduction,” she said.
The second phase launched on July 14, which allows all eligible voters to register and update their details via a computer, smart mobile device or tablet.
She added, the system will utilise a number of security checks to ensure the integrity of the voters’ roll.
These security checks include the use of a One-Time-Pin (OTP) verification and the submission of a scan or photograph of the voters’ ID document.
Voters are still allowed to use alternative registration options including ongoing voter registration at all local IEC offices and various outreach initiatives including at schools, tertiary education institutions and the general voter registration weekends ahead of elections.
PAS BEKEND: Covid-19 eis gesoute polisieman se eggenoot ook
“The IEC believes the online facility will be a game-changer in promoting voter registration especially among young and first-time voters,” she said.
According to her, the introduction of the online registration system is a crucial part of the Electoral Commission’s plans to boost voter registration despite Covid-19 ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for October 27.
All 23 151 IEC voting stations are expected to be open between 8am and 5pm over the weekend of July 31 to August 1, to help voters register and check their registration details in person.
