Make sure you are registered to vote
Call to all South African voters to visit voting stations on March 10 and 11.
The Electoral Commission urges all South Africa’s eligible voters to visit their voting stations over the weekend of March 10 and 11 as part of a national campaign to update the voters’ roll in preparation for the 2019 elections.
All 22 612 voting stations around the country will open for the public between 8am and 5pm over the weekend to:
• Assist new voters to register.
• Allow already registered voters who have moved since they registered to re-register in their correct voting district.
• Allow registered voters whose address details are not on the voters’ roll to provide this information.
The Electoral Commission has made an early start to the preparations for the 2019 elections.
These elections are expected between May and August 2019.
Critically, this registration weekend is a milestone towards the culmination of a two-year project to obtain addresses for all registered voters.
It is an opportunity to ensure that voters are registered in the correct voting district segments.
South Africans might recall the ruling of the Constitutional Court in 2016 which gave the Electoral Commission until June 2018 to update the voters’ roll with all available addresses.
Over the past two years the Electoral Commission has made significant progress in updating addresses on the voters’ roll including:
• Increasing the proportion of complete addresses from 34 per cent of registered voters in March 2016 to 75 per cent of registered voters currently.
• Reducing the proportion of incomplete or generic addresses from 34 per cent in March 2016 to 14 per cent.
• Reducing the percentage of registered voters without any recorded address from 32 per cent to approximately 11 per cent.
The Electoral Commission has sourced addresses using different initiatives including the following:
• The Electoral Commission reviewed records, files and archives to check and capture all addresses provided by voters over the past 20 years.
• Collected addresses during the 2016 municipal elections from voters who did not have addresses on the voters roll.
• Undertaken field work ahead of registration weekends for by-elections. Where necessary, this has included moving voters found to be registered in the incorrect voting districts as provided for by Section 12 (1)(d) of the Electoral Act.
• Received and used, where possible, address data from other state sources such as Stats SA, Sassa, Telkom, the SA Post Office and the Department of Home Affairs.
• In October 2017 the Electoral Commission launched an online facility for registered voters with internet access to review and/or provide their address via www.elections.org.za. This was accompanied by a national advertising initiative.
Having done all of the above, the Electoral Commission still does not as yet have addresses for 2.8 million voters.
They have a further 3.5 million addresses that are currently classified as “incomplete” or “generic”.
This category requires further analysis to ascertain whether there is any further detail available.
ALSO READ:
Dukathole the perfect host for National Police Day
Rest-a-While sends water to the Cape
Chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo urged all voters to make every effort to visit their voting station during the weekend of March 10 and 11.
“The voters’ roll is the bedrock of electoral integrity.
“Its quality is the foundation for credible, free and fair elections.
“This includes making sure all eligible voters are registered in the correct segment of the voters’ roll.
“The requisite quality of the voters’ roll is depended on the support and participation of voters and all stakeholders,” he said.
He further called upon all people in South African as individuals, political parties, civic organisations, NGOs, activists, the media, traditional leaders and faith-based organisations to ensure the success of the weekend.
“The voters’ roll is a national asset.
“It requires constant maintenance, constant updating and constant checking to retain its currency and its quality,” he said.
“If you are active on social media tell your followers about the importance of having an accurate and up-to-date voters’ roll.
“Urge them to check their registration details on the voters roll on March 10 and 11.
“Encourage all new and first-time voters to register over the weekend.”
The contact centre (0800 11 8000) has been activated Monday to Friday during office hours to assist voters to find their correct voting station and to answer any queries.
Registered voters can also SMS their ID number to 32810 to receive an SMS containing the address of their voting station (charged at R1).
The online facility (available at https://www.elections.org.za/MyIEC/Account/Register) remains open for registered voters with access to the internet to update and review their address online.
These voters are also being urged to update their details before the end of May 2018.
Voters visiting their voting station should take a copy of their barcoded ID book, smart card ID or temporary ID certificate.
They will be assisted to complete a registration form providing their home address at which they ordinarily reside, which will allow the Electoral Commission to place them in the correct voting district.
Proof of residence is not required.
“We are ready to open all the voting stations in March to make it easy and convenient for all voters to update their registration details on the voters’ roll.
“But we need voters to show up and make use of the opportunity,” said Mamabolo.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:
Or add the GCN on WhatsApp 079 406 1181 or BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137) today, to get all the latest news.
Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers Bedfordview Edenvale News, Alberton Record and Kempton Express.
