Final registration weekend
The Electoral Commission appeals to all eligible voters to make use of the final weekend registration this Saturday 8 February and Sunday, 9 February to register and/or to verify their registration for this year’s upcoming national and provincial elections.
Since the last registration weekend held in November 2013, the Electoral Commission has focused substantial energy in increasing the opportunity for all South Africans who are eligible to vote to apply to register as voters. Two voter registration weekends were conducted on 17-19 January 2014 and 24-26 January 2014 at South Africa’s 123 missions in 108 countries around the world. Voter registration remains open during working hours of the missions. For purposes of the 2014 National and Provincial Elections, South African citizens abroad have been encouraged to ensure that their applications are received by close of business on Friday, 7 February 2014.
To date we have received 3 703 applications for registration from about 70 missions. We are still receiving more each day and processing these. The highest number of applications have come from London, Dubai and Cuba.
Our efforts have also been directed to prisoners who are also afforded the right to vote by our Constitution and election legislation.
Registration in South Africa’s 235 correctional facilities began on 5 February.
For the rest of the South African population that is eligible to vote, all 22 263 voting stations throughout the country will be open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 February. This is the last weekend during which the voters can apply to register to vote for the 2014 National and Provincial elections if they have not already done so.
As of today, overall registration stands at 24.1 million. This is 76.7% of the estimated voting age population which, according to Stats SA is 31.4 million. This includes just over 1 million new voters who were added to the voters’ roll during the previous registration weekend held in November 2013.
Current registration percentages for each province are as follows:
- Eastern Cape: 82.8%
- Free State: 82.4%
- Gauteng: 72.1%
- KwaZulu-Natal: 79.3%
- Limpopo: 79.2%
- Mpumalanga: 73.3%
- North West: 75.2%
- Northern Cape: 80.6%
- Western Cape: 74.0%
As indicated before, the Electoral Commission has set itself a target of 80% of the voting age population on the voters’ roll by proclamation date. To reach this threshold, 1.1 million will be targeted in this final registration weekend.
As always, the youth provide the greatest opportunity for growth. Currently 22.2% of eligible voters aged 18 – 19 are registered - 428 127 out of an eligible population estimated at 1.9 million and 53.8% of those aged 20 – 29 are registered (5 103 401 out of an estimated 9.48 million population).
To further increase awareness and encourage registration the Electoral Commission has collaborated with some radio stations throughout South Africa. They will be broadcasting outside some voting stations on Saturday and Sunday. This is in addition to a youthful registration campaign currently underway where youth role models from the music, media and entertainment industries, amongst others, share their reasons why the youth should register and vote in the 2014 National and Provincial Elections.
To register voters must visit their correct voting station where they ordinarily live armed with a valid South African ID document – either a green barcoded ID, a new smartcard ID or a temporary ID certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
To find out the location of their correct voting station eligible voters can:
- Use the Voting Station Finder APP on www.elections.org.za. This APP has recently been upgraded and enhanced to make it user friendly;
- Call the IEC Call Centre on 0800 11 8000. The Call Centre is open from 7am to 9pm every day this week including Saturday and Sunday.
Voters who are already registered can check their registration details including which voting station they are registered at by SMSing their ID number to 32810.
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Please email requests to spokesperson@elections.org.za
You can also find the IEC on:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/IECSouthAfrica
- Twitter: @IECSouthAfrica
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/IECSouthAfrica
- Call centre: 0800 11 8000
