Final chance to register to vote

WITH less than a month to go before the final voter registration weekend, Zululanders are urged to exercise their democratic right during this year’s national general elections.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in uThungulu said all systems are in place to ensure the maximum number of people visit voting stations on 8 and 9 February.

‘At this stage, we are happy with the turnout and all municipalities within uThungulu are above 75% in terms of registrations,’ said uThungulu IEC Regional Supervisor Thule Dlamini.

‘We have 429 226 voters registered in the district in comparison to 390 519 in 2011. We are calling on Zululanders to come out in their numbers for the final registration weekend. It will be the last chance before the president proclaims the election date and the registration window period ends,’ said Dlamini.

In 2011, there were 473 voting stations, but 2014 will see an increase of 71 voting stations totalling 544.

‘All voting stations will be open on 8 and 9 February between 8am and 5pm. Residents who are unsure about their voting stations can call our toll-free call centre on 0800 11 8000 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.’

Overseas

In a first for overseas voting, registration is also open for South Africans living outside of the country.

Expatriates can register in person either in South Africa or at one of South Africa’s 124 embassies, high commissions or consulates located in 108 countries.

There has been mixed reaction from Zululanders living overseas over the amended regulations.

‘As an expat living in the United Kingdom, the subject of voting is a major topic of conversation when South Africans get together and on all the social media channels,’ said former Richards Bay resident, Charles Cornew.

‘My wife and I will definitely do our best to register to vote. However, for those living further away from the city this can be a costly and expensive exercise. The general feeling is that although most of us will register and ultimately vote, we are unsure whether it will make much of a difference.’

‘I’m in Perth and would love to vote so I will register for sure,’ said former Zululander Alison Lee Buys.

All South Africans with a valid South African ID and South African passport can apply for registration during normal working hours until 7 February or during the special registration weekends on 18/19 January and 25/26 January.