This weekend, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will hold voter registration in Gauteng and the Western Cape ahead of municipal by-elections on January 21.

Voting stations will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 to allow eligible voters to register, and for those who are already registered to check their registration details and provide or update their physical address details.

What you need to register

• Your ID: Your green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID or a valid temporary ID
• Eligible voters will be required to complete their physical home address on registration or provide sufficient particulars of their place of residence. Documented proof of address (such as a municipal account) is not required.

Voters can also check and update their details at their local IEC office on weekdays during office hours.

It is a criminal offence to register and vote in a ward in which you do not normally live.

By-elections will be held as follows:

Gauteng

In Ward 57 in the Tshwane municipality, where the ward became vacant due to a councillor’s death, registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

• Voting district/station number: 32980057, Laerskool Louis Leipoldt
• Voting district/station number: 32980068, Lyttelton Primary School
• Voting district/station number: 32980125, Saints Presbyterian Church

Western Cape

In Ward 17 in the George municipality, where the ward councillor resigned, registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

• Voting district/station number: 97200143, Rosemoor Centre
• Voting district/station number: 97200176, Conville Community Hall

In Ward 27 in the George municipality, where the ward became vacant due to the resignation of a councillor, registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

• Voting district/station number: 97200233, St Vincent Palotti Catholic Church
• Voting district/station number: 97200244, Pacaltsdorp Primary School

Special votes

Voters who want to cast a special vote can apply on the IEC website from January 5 to January 9.

Special voting will take place at voting stations and via home visits on January 20, between 08:00 and 17:00.

Voters who apply online will get an SMS confirming the outcome after their application is processed. They can also check the status of their special vote application on the IEC website. Voters can also visit their local IEC office on weekdays during office hours.

Voters can apply for a special vote via cellphone by sending their ID number to 32249 (R1 per SMS). This service is only for those voting at a station, not for home visits.

For more information about the by-elections, contact your local IEC office during office hours on weekdays. Contact details for all IEC offices are available on the IEC website under ‘contact us’.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.