View noticesIEC records highest-ever local elections voters’ roll
The IEC previously recorded almost 486,000 registration transactions among citizens aged between 16 and 29.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says the country has recorded its largest-ever voters’ roll for local government elections, with strong growth among young voters.
OFM reports that more than 1.7 million people visited voting stations during the IEC’s second and final voter registration weekend in August, pushing the voters’ roll beyond 29 million registered voters.
More than 750,000 new voters were added during the two registration weekends. During the final weekend alone, more than 291,000 people registered for the first time, while more than 1.5 million voters updated or confirmed their details.
The IEC previously recorded almost 486,000 registration transactions among citizens aged between 16 and 29 during the registration period, with nearly half of all first-time registrations coming from voters younger than 29.
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya welcomed the registration figures, saying the commission had recorded its highest enrolment for local government elections, particularly among young people.
The local government elections are scheduled for 4 November, when voters will elect representatives to municipal councils across the country.
The IEC has now shifted its focus from voter registration to the final preparations for election day and has urged registered voters to check that their details are correct and confirm where they are expected to vote.
Voters who will be unable to cast their ballots at their registered voting stations on election day can apply for special votes. Applications remain open until Monday, 12 October.
Special votes are available to voters who are physically unable to reach a voting station, as well as those who will be away from their registered voting district on election day.
For voters who cannot physically access a voting station because of their condition, an approved special vote may be cast through a home visit by an election official. The voter must be confined to a location within the voting district in which they are registered.