The Electoral Commission has announced that the national voter registration weekend ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections will be held on 17-18 July 2021. Over this weekend all 23 146 voting stations around the country would open from 8am to 5pm to assist new voters to register and existing voters to check and, where necessary, update their registration details, the IEC said in a statement today.
In the lead-up to that weekend, the Electoral Commission would embark on a nationwide voter education and awareness campaign to encourage all eligible voters to make sure they are ready to participate in the elections scheduled to be held on 27 October 2021. This campaign will span a variety of multimedia platforms including television, radio, outdoor and digital media along with targeted interventions aimed specifically at young, first-time voters. These will include registration initiatives at schools, tertiary education campuses and other opportunities.
“Voters are reminded that for this election the 17-18 July weekend is the ONLY general voter registration opportunity for voters to register and check their registration at their voting stations. However, on-going voter registration will continue during working hours at local IEC offices until the proclamation of the elections,” the IEC said.
In addition, registered voters would still be able to amend their registration details through the “Click, Check, Confirm” functionality on the website of the Electoral Commission. The facility was introduced in 2018 and has been used by over 350 000 voters to update their details.
WHAT YOU NEED TO REGISTER
- In order to register as a voter, you must be at least 16 years old, a South African citizen and in possession of a valid South African ID document – either a green barcoded ID book or a smartcard ID.
- You must be registered at a voting station in the ward in which you are ordinarily resident and you must provide an address or detailed description of a place of residence. However, proof of address (e.g. in the form of a utilities account) is NOT required for registration.
- If you visit a voting station in person to register or update your details you must wear a mask or appropriate face covering and observe social distancing.
- Hand sanitising facilities as well as stationery will be provided at each voting station.
- If you prefer you can bring your own pen are you are encouraged to do so, even though pens will be provided and sanitised routinely.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Eligible voters can find out more about where, when and how to register by visiting the Electoral Commission website at www.elections.org.za.
- From June the LGE 2021 Contact Centre (0800 11 8000) will also be available to assist voters via phone and email (info@elections.org.za).
- Voters will also be assisted on the Electoral Commission’s Facebook page and Twitter account (@IECSouthAfrica).
- Existing voters can check their current registration details on the website or by SMSing their ID number to 32810 (cost R1). Voters who have moved house since the last election as well as those with incorrect, incomplete or missing addresses are especially urged to update their details.
“The Electoral Commission urges all eligible voters – and especially first-time voters – to make use of the one-and-only registration weekend or the online portal to prepare to vote in October this year,” the Commission said.
‘We also call upon all political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, the media, business and labour organisations, faith-based organisations and all other stakeholders to join together to encourage voter registration and participation among their staff, clientele, customers and followers.”
