THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the King Cetshwayo district says it is ready for the voter registration weekend on
18-19 September.
Eligible voters will be assisted to register or update their details as the commission races to get all protocols in place for the local government elections on 1 November.
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This follows the commission’s failed Constitutional Court bid to have the municipal elections postponed to February next year based on the recommendations of Justice Dikgang Moseneke, who said the elections would not be free or fair if held this year.
‘We were ready to host the voter registration process in July and had already secured voting stations. We just need to get in touch with landlords to notify them of the new dates and then sign updated lease agreements.
‘If there are any changes regarding the voting stations, we will notify the affected wards,’ said King Cetshwayo IEC regional chairperson Stella Dlamini.
She said staff has been recruited and trained for the more than 500 voting stations in the district.
To register, you must be a South African citizen, be at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18), and have a green bar-coded ID book, smart card ID or a valid temporary identity certificate.
‘If you have relocated, you will be required to re-register to vote where you reside,’ said Dlamini.
She reminded eligible citizens that the online registration portal is also available and can be accessed on the IEC website.
The first registration weekend in July was postponed owing to an increase in Covid-19 infections.
The process was further delayed by the Moseneke report and the Concourt application to change the date.
IEC chairperson Glen Mashinini, who briefed the media last week, said applications for special votes would open on 20 September and close on 4 October.
‘The use of special votes will take on heightened importance in this election because of the need to decongest voting stations on election day,’ said Mashinini.
