Youth encouraged to make their mark
With the national and provincial election date drawing closer, more young people are encouraged to register to vote.
The second and final voter registration weekend will be on the 8 and 9 February.
Ward 87 councillor, Amanda Forsythe said the days were set aside for anyone who wanted to register or check if they were registered.
“Many believe it is going to be a watershed year for South African politics and no one should miss out on the opportunity to cast their vote and thus have their say on the government they would like to have provincially and nationally,” said Forsythe.
After the first voter registration weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission revealed that less than half of eligible voters under the age of 30 were registered to vote.
Only 8.7 percent of the eligible voters were aged between 18 and 19, as compared to the average registration levels of more than 90 percent for older age groups.
Forsythe said people could go to their local voting station during the registration weekend with their ID books. “To register, you need to be 18 years or older on the day of the election and you must be in possession of a green barcoded ID book,” she added. “Parents of teenagers who will be 18 years old by May 2014 should ensure that they [their children] get registered before 5pm on 9 February 2014.”
She said the electoral commission’s office for Region B was situated in the Diners Club building in Auckland Park.
“Although it is possible to vote anywhere in the country on voting day, if you are registered to vote in another province and you do not vote in that province, you will not be given a provincial ballot, only a national one,” Forsythe said.
“So if you want a new government in your province, best you ensure you vote there.”
Anyone who is unaware of their nearest voting stations may visit the commission’s website and check the Voting Station Finder.
