Voters register in numbers

Close to 3000 locals registered in the Ballito and Salt Rock area to vote in next year’s elections during the the first round of voter registration last weekend.
Councillors Ann McDonnell and Collin Marsh both said they were impressed to see people braving the wet weather to register.
“We had an exceptionally good turn out in the Dolphin Coast area and we hope even more people will come out and register in February,” said Cllr Marsh.
In ward six, 1421 voters registered with 676 being at the new voting station at the Scout Hall in Townsend Park.
Ward 22 had 1275 registrations over five of their stations which include Salt Rock Library, Compensation Trading Store and Sizani Primary School.
A few first time voters were excited about the prospect of voting for the first time next year. Ballito’s Vicci Van der Westhuizen (23) said on previous elections she had missed voting because she was out of the country but next year is her chance to exercise her voting right.
“I actually feel quite bad that I have not voted before but it is better late than never so I am here to register,” she said while at the Ballito Library.
McDonnell expressed her concern over the lack of an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) office in the south of KwaDukuza saying it hindered the voter registration process. The closest IEC office is currently in Stanger.
“Apparently our area is the fastest growing part of KZN but residents had to wait for this weekend before they could register to vote. We hope to have a local IEC office before the elections so that people can register whenever they want to,” said McDonnell.