Registered voters across South Africa will head to their closest voting station in a few days’ time on 1 November which has been declared a public holiday, to make their marks in the 2021 municipal elections.
The IEC says just more than 23 000 voting stations will be open between 07:00 and 21:00 on Monday 1 November 2021, while special votes will be cast on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October 2021.
“If you are making your way to go and vote on the day, please remember these basic safety measures to ensure that you exercise your right to vote in a safe and secure manner,” says Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.
Step one, she says, is to remember to lock up properly when you leave home. Most voting stations are located at schools or community centres in suburbs.
The fact that you are just walking a few hundred meters down the road to the closest school to go and vote, does not mean you don’t need to worry about your security gates.
Make sure your doors and windows are closed and locked properly, and please arm your security system before you leave. Hattingh also recommends leaving any flashy jewellery or other expensive electronic devices or assets at home.
Remember to take your ID card or other documents that the IEC may require from you in order to cast your vote. Also take note that it is illegal to display any party branding once you are inside the IEC taped station. Don’t leave valuable items in your car, and you should definitely make sure your car is securely locked before you walk away.
The same kind of personal safety measures that you would remember when parking at a mall or leaving your car parked outside in the street at night, are also applicable on voting day when you park outside the voting station. The SAPS will have a presence at all voting stations, and Hattingh recommends you ask for their help if there is anything or anyone that makes you feel uncomfortable or suspicious on the day.
Be attentive to your surroundings when you make your way to the polling booth as well as on the way back home.
Keep an eye out for anyone that is possibly following you, and call for assistance from the SAPS or your security company if you feel unsafe.
It is always a good idea to keep contact numbers for local police or security companies saved onto your phone, so that you can get in touch with them quickly in case of an emergency.
