Don’t forget to register to vote

All voting stations will open from 8am to 5pm this weekend (March 5 and 6) for new voters to register and for existing voters to update and check their registration details ahead of this year’s municipal elections.

The date of the election itself will only be known later this year, when it is proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Honourable David van Rooyen, which will start the official election timetable.

In terms of the Constitution, the municipal elections must take place between May 18 and August 16 – the 90-day window provided at the conclusion of the five-year term of office of municipal councillors elected in 2011 and in any subsequent by-elections.

q Finding your correct voting station:

All eligible voters (South African citizens aged 18 or older) should ensure they are registered in the correct voting district where they ordinarily reside.

Unlike national and provincial elections, voting in a municipal election is only allowed in the voting district in which you are registered to vote.

There are a number of ways voters can find their correct voting station:

n Call the Electoral Commission Contact Centre on 0800 11 8000 between 7am and 9pm on weekdays. For the first time the Contact Centre agents will also be available to assist voters via webchat (www.elections.org.za), Twitter (@IECSouthAfrica), Facebook (IECSouthAfrica) and email (info@elections.org.za).

n Use the voting station finder app on the IEC website at www.elections.org.za.

n Dial *120*IEC# (*120*432#).

Voters who are already registered can SMS their ID number to 32810 (cost R1) to receive confirmation of their voter registration details including the name of their voting station.

Voters need to take their green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or a valid temporary ID certificate to the voting station.

No other forms of ID are accepted for voter registration.

The Electoral Commission reminds all voters that it is a criminal offence to knowingly register in a voting district in which the voter is not ordinarily resident.

Also See:

Register to vote for local government