Several changes have been implemented to ensure the voting and registration process runs smoothly. Voters can expect somewhat of a new process on arriving at voting stations to either register or check whether they are correctly registered this weekend, September 18 and 19. Besides the wearing of masks being mandatory, strict social distancing and sanitising will be observed.
“Gone however are the old zip-zip machines that produced a slip as going forward, the newly introduced Voter Management Device will instead be used to scan the bar code of the identity document, temporary identity document or identity card and link it to the residential addresses of the voter,” said ward 97 councillor, André Beetge.
The voter will receive an SMS to confirm the registration which will also serve as confirmation of being registered and captured to the voters roll. The voter does not have to produce proof of address to initiate the process, but will instead have to surrender correct and precise information so that the system can connect the address from the map to the relevant voting station.
“For this reason, voters are to ensure that they supply the IEC with their correct cellular number as failing, they would have no confirmation of registration. As the IEC endeavours towards a paperless system, voters are further encouraged to register online by logging into www.registertovote.co.za and following the tabs that include linking their address to the correct voting station and uploading a photograph of their identity document.”
Beetge said the IEC will likewise confirm the registration via SMS, but given the current volume, the process appears somewhat delayed yet with promises that the backlog will be cleared before this registration weekend.
“Voters who have not received the confirmation SMS before the weekend or who still want to make sure that they are correctly registered can visit any voting station in the country on Saturday or Sunday between 08:00 to 17:00 where the new system will then be used to link them to the correct voting station where they should be voting. Given that it is a new system, there might be teething problems and as such, voters are requested to remain patient in the interest of the bigger picture of being correctly registered to everyone has the opportunity to exercise their democratic voting right.”
ALSO READ: Community urged to register to vote
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