About 7,6-million South Africans still have to register as voters before they can cast their ballot in this year’s general elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Thursday.
Of an estimated 27-million eligible voters in the country, about 19,4-million have registered to date, IEC chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula told reporters in Pretoria.
According to IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam, this is a high rate. If two or three million more people register during the next targeted enrolment weekend, that will amount to a world record, she said.
Nearly 17 000 voting stations will be open countrywide on the weekend of January 24 and 25 for citizens to put their names on the voters’ roll, check that their details are correct, or re-register in their new residential areas if they have moved house since the previous election.
This will be the last chance for South Africans to register at their polling stations, Tlakula warned.
They can, however, continue registering at municipal electoral offices until the election date is proclaimed.
The IEC unveiled a new system enabling voters to check their registration details via a cellphone SMS message.
One simply has to type one’s identity number on to a cellphone and SMS it to Vodacom or MTN on 32810 or Cell C on 084 843 7060. A confirmation will be SMSed back at R1 per transaction.
The commission also announced improvements to its website. Voters can now find out online where they have to register. One has to register and vote at the same voting station, and it has to be in one’s residential area.
Tlakula said the registration figures of young people remain a source of concern for the IEC. It is, therefore, introducing several youth-specific communication strategies focusing on high schools and tertiary institutions.
Regarding the Electoral Laws Amendment Act, passed by Parliament late last year, she said the IEC is working on making the provisions a reality.
The Act allows any person in prison on election day to vote, provided he or she is not serving a jail sentence without the option of a fine.
IEC officials will visit prisons next week to give qualifying prisoners the chance to register, Tlakula said.
The legislation also makes it possible for South Africans to vote if they are temporarily overseas. This applies to citizens absent from the country on government service — or members of their households. The second category comprises voters who are away on holiday, a business trip, attending a tertiary institution or on an educational visit, or are participating in an international sports event.
People falling into the second group have to inform the IEC within 15 days of the proclamation of the election date of their intended absence and where they will be voting, Tlakula said.
South Africans wishing to vote overseas have to be registered in the voting district where they normally reside and have to present their identity documents and passports on election day.
Bam said the mood in the country is enthusiastic and excited, contrary to perceptions that South Africans are indifferent and apathetic.
This may have to do with the fact that this year’s poll will coincide with the country’s 10th year of democracy.
She said the IEC will be ready to hold elections from about March, and expressed the hope that an election date will be announced next month.
Voting stations will be open from 8am to 5pm on registration weekend. — Sapa