IEC hopes more youth & first-timers will register for elections

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Western Cape has called on all eligible voters and existing voters in the province to use the registration weekend (18 September & 19 September) to register or re-register if their registration details have changed or needs updating.

The IEC in the province has recruited and trained 3 290 registration staff for this weekend.

All of the province’s 1 577 voting stations are open from 8a.m to 5p.m on Saturday & Sunday. Of these, 38 are temporary voting stations where permanent structures are not available or no suitable structure exists.  There are currently over three million voters registered in the Western Cape, and the IEC is hoping to increase voter registration among young people.

‘’The IEC is hoping to increase this figure, especially in regard to the youth and first time voters, and have therefore created an Online Registration facility as additional means of registration,’’ said the IEC’s Western Cape’s Electoral Officer, Michael Hendrickse.

Hendrickse warned that eligible voters would only be allowed to cast their ballots on 1 November if they were registered by the end of this weekend.

‘’In order to vote in the Local Government Elections to be held on 1 November 2021, voters need to be registered by 20 September 2021 which is when the national Minister of CoGTA will be proclaiming the elections. Any person registering after that date, will not be able to participate in the election on 1 November 2021, but may do so for other future elections.’’

‘’Voters are reminded that they need to be registered in the voting district in which they are ordinarily resident. You do not need to bring any proof of address, but you will be asked to provide your address or indicate the place where you reside – not having a formal address does not deprive an eligible citizen from registering and voting,’’ added Hendrikse

 

An online voter registration facility allows new voters to register and existing voters to update or amend their registration from the ease and convenience of their homes or anywhere.

When registering online:

·        Go to (www.elections.org.za) and go to registertovote

·        Enter your name and surname, contact details, and create a password

·        Capture your address details

·        Upload a photo or file of your valid SA ID – green ID book, smart ID or temporary ID

·        Insert the One Time Pin (OTP) sent to you

·        Receive a notification that you are registered to vote within 24 hours

To check if you are registered:

Ø SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS)

Ø Go to your local IEC office from Monday to Friday during office hours

Ø Go to the IEC website: www.elections.org.za and follow the link “Am I registered to vote?’

Ø Check the Voters’ Roll at the voting station where you are registered to vote during the voter registration weekend

Ø Call Toll-free from a landline to the call centre 0800 11 8000

 

Done By: Mitchum George