Final voter registration weekend announced

Voters have one last chance to register at their voting station or ensure their details are correct ahead of the upcoming national and provincial elections.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa, known as the IEC, has announced the second and final voter registration weekend, set for Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, from 08:00 to 17:00, at all 23 296 polling stations.

If you have moved to another voting district since you last registered, you must update your details if you want to vote.

“Following the first registration weekend held on November 18 and 19, the voters’ roll contains 26.8 million voters, of which 568 374 registered for the first time.

“We are hopeful that the second registration weekend will build on and surpass the satisfactory turnout recorded in November,” says IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela, adding that citizens aged 16 years and older can register to vote.

“The only thing they need is their ID book or a valid temporary ID certificate,” she says.

“They need only provide their address or a description of where they live. Proof of address is not a requirement to register as a voter. South Africans living abroad will have an opportunity to register at South Africa’s 120 high commissions, embassies and consulates.”

Bapela says those living abroad can register on January 26, 27 and 28.

“In addition, voter registration will also be conducted in correctional centres around the country to allow inmates to exercise their right to vote.

“Working with the Department of Correctional Services, the commission will undertake the registration of inmates between January 30 and February 1.

“Family members of those who are incarcerated are requested to deliver the identity documents of inmates to them ahead of this registration drive,” she says.