From left to right, IEC commissioner Mosotho Moepya, IEC Chairperson Glen Mashinini and IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo are seen during a press briefing at the IEC offices in Centurion, 23 January 2019, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles
The addresses of least 1.5 million South Africans on the voters’ roll are missing, but they will be eligible to vote if they present their addresses and a description of their residence on voting day.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) CEO Mosotho Moepya yesterday urged citizens to register or confirm their details at one of the 22 925 stations thoughout the country on the final voters’ registration drive this weekend.
He said about 26 million South Africans were registered on the voters’ roll, but the Constitutional Court indicated in November that the commission should not allow anyone to vote without first providing an address or details of their place of residence.
“Anyone presenting themselves on election day without an address will be asked to provide this before they vote.
“An assessment will be made to ascertain if they are in the correct province so the right ballot paper is handed to them.
“It is our hope that the 1.5 million [registered without addresses} will present themselves this weekend to limit the number of people from whom we need to get addresses from on election day,” Moepya said.
About 10 million South Africans were not registered on the voters’ roll, with over 70% of them being youths, he added. About 6.5 million were aged between 18 and 30 years.
“We appeal particularly to the young people to come forward and register and take this opportunity to show they have reached adulthood and take responsibility for their future.
“The electoral commission is especially eager for young, first-time voters to register as a new generation of participants in our 25-year-old electoral democracy.
“Special registration drives are also being planned for tertiary education campuses when they open in February to help boost youth registration.”
Moepya emphasised that this would be the last registration weekend for the elections later this year. But those who were unable to make it to a registration station could go to any IEC office to register their details.
Registration stations would be open between 8am and 5pm.
Citizens must present an identity book, a smart identity card or a temporary identity card in order to register.
– rorisangk@citizen.co.za
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