Fourways DA MP Cameron Mackenzie and Diepsloot councillor Refilwe Mathebula have hailed the weekend voter registration exercise a success.
Mackenzie said everything went well over the weekend. “While the first registration weekend was marred by isolated incidents of intimidation and a lack of knowledge by some Independent Electoral Commission presiding officers on regulations regarding what was allowed or not, this past weekend went off very smoothly. Clearly these gaps have been addressed and all stations across Fourways operated efficiently, with no shortages of voting materials reported,” said Mackenzie.
The politician also celebrated the first-time registration of a 74-year-old voter. “A high spot was the registration of a first-time voter at the age of 74 at Fourways High. We welcome his determination to play a role in choosing the next government of our city,” said Mackenzie. The voter, however, declined to be publicly identified.
Mackenzie, though, did mention the mix-up of voters’ residential addresses. “What was very concerning, however, was the large number of registered voters who arrived at voting stations where they were registered, only to find that their address information was completely wrong – in some cases, simply garbage,” said the straight-talking legislator. He said voters were frustrated by such mix-ups adding that the IEC was expected to investigate and correct the problems as a matter of urgency.
Mathebula celebrated the high turn-out of youthful first voters on the last day of registration. “Registration went well and it’s good to see the born frees having an interest in casting their first vote,” said Mathebula.
The DA PR councillor, however, expressed disappointment over what she termed ‘last minute deciders’ who relaxed over the weekend and then attempted to register after 5pm. “Some people take things for granted and are not aware that they are wasting their children’s future,” said Mathebula. She urged those who failed to meet the registration deadline to visit the IEC head office in Midrand to register.
