20 April 2009
Two years ago the Electoral Commission started a process of conceptualising
and planning the 2009 National and Provincial Elections. Elections constitute a
moment of national reflection, wherein citizens chart a way forward in relation
to the future. The Electoral Commission realises as crucial the role of the
voter in an election. In fact, in our planning we placed a lot of emphasis on
the centrality of the voter.
Special votes
The extensive planning that went into the elections culminates with the
commencement of the voting process today. All the 2 295 voting stations in the
province have been opened this morning to allow voters with special
circumstances an opportunity to cast their votes. Provision is made in terms of
the Electoral Law for people with disabilities, physical infirmity and women in
advanced stages of pregnancy to apply to be visited at a place of confinement.
By the 14th of April, our municipal offices received a total of 14 952
applications for home and hospital visits. These home visits are being
undertaken today and tomorrow by two officials and party agents where the
latter are available.
Further to the above category of special voters, members of the security
services who are doing work in conjunction with the election as well as
electoral staff also have an opportunity to visit their voting stations and
apply for a special vote. If such application is approved then the applicant
will vote at the voting station either today or tomorrow.
Voting stations
As indicated above, the province is operating 2 295 voting stations which
include 57 from the recently incorporated Merafong municipality. We have
concluded lease agreements with landlords for the 1 925 voting stations which
are permanent. We have also acquired keys and now have access to all permanent
voting stations.
As part of the provincial total of voting stations, the province is
operating 370 temporary voting stations. This is in areas where a permanent
facility in the form of a school, community hall or church could not be found.
All the marquees were erected yesterday and are now operational as part of the
service to voters with special circumstances. These temporary voting stations
are also provided with tables and chairs, portable toilets and water.
Municipalities and Eskom are providing electrification at these temporary
voting stations on Election Day so that the voting process will continue
without hindrance at dusk to the closing times of stations. This is done to
better service the voter at the station.
Electoral staff
Following consultations with all political parties represented in the present
National Assembly, the Commission determined criteria for the recruitment of
presiding officers. The criteria provided the following amongst others:
* The Presiding officers need to have at least eight years administrative or
managerial experience.
* Presiding officers should not have been candidates in the last two
elections.
* Presiding officers should not be executive members of a political
party.
* Presiding officers should not be executive members of organisations with
political party affiliations or aims.
Further to the above, once recruited presiding officers names were provided
to political parties participating in the elections so that objections may be
raised in the event a party was aggrieved by the potential appointment of any
presiding officer. These measures were introduced to assure the voting public
of the integrity of the electoral process.
To ensure that presiding officers are able to efficiently manage voting
stations two day training sessions were introduced. A competency assessment
also had to be done and a 70% competency level was required to secure
appointment as presiding officers. This must find expression in an improved
performance by presiding officers at all voting stations across the province.
The total number of electoral staff in the province is 28 458.
Electoral logistics
Logistics form a crucial component of the electoral process, as we speak all
materials have been delivered to all permanent voting stations. These materials
include the following items:
* voting compartments
* ballot boxes
* administrative forms
* stationery packs
* votersâ roll.
Some interesting figures about electoral logistics include:
* We have printed 53 million ballots nationally.
* 12.5 million ballot papers in the province.
* The weight of all ballots is 450 tons.
* The votersâ roll has 1.6 million pages.
* The votersâ roll is 6.4 tons.
* 120 000 bottles of indelible ink.
Security items to and from the voting station are delivered under security
escort to ensure that nothing untoward happens in the process of
transportation. Security items include the following:
* security seals
* security tape
* indelible ink
* ballot papers.
We are confident that we have acquired the right material for use at voting
stations at right quantities. We therefore do not anticipate any logistical
problems in terms of the level of provisions that is done. This is done to
ensure the convenience of the voters for the voter is central to the electoral
process.
Votersâ roll
Gauteng has the largest voting population in the country with 5.5 million
registered voters. This means that close to a quarter of the 23.1 million
nationally registered voters are to be found in this province. The Gauteng
registration level represents 23.8 % of all registered voters in the
country.
Municipality: Ekurhuleni
Wards: 88
Voting Districts: 541
Registered Voters: 1 420 748
Municipality: Johannesburg
Wards: 109
Voting Districts: 759
Registered Voters: 2 003 007
Municipality: Tshwane Metro
Wards: 76
Voting Districts: 482
Registered Voters: 1 218 917
Municipality: Emfuleni
Wards: 43
Voting Districts: 158
Registered Voters: 344 673
Municipality: Midvaal
Wards: 10
Voting Districts: 30
Registered Voters: 44 045
Municipality: Lesedi
Wards: 11
Voting Districts: 35
Registered Voters: 43 709
Municipality: Nokeng tsa Taemane
Wards: 6
Voting Districts: 27
Registered Voters: 31 426
Municipality: Kungwini
Wards: 14
Voting Districts: 58
Registered Voters: 61 077
Municipality: Mogale City
Wards: 32
Voting Districts: 83
Registered Voters: 168 006
Municipality: Randfontein
Wards: 19
Voting Districts: 36
Registered Voters: 72 754
Municipality: Westonaria
Wards: 15
Voting Districts: 27
Registered Voters: 50 813
Municipality: Merafong City
Wards: 26
Voting Districts: 57
Registered Voters: 93 187
Municipality: Sterkfontein DMA
Wards: No Ward
Voting Districts: 2
Registered Voters: 2 797
Totals
Wards: 449
Voting Districts: 2295
Registered Voters: 5 555 159
In order to ensure that the voters get to go through the voting process with
a modicum of speed and with least discomfort, we will be introducing streams at
voting stations in order to expedite the voting process. This means that the
votersâ roll at the voting station will be broken down to manageable segments
to avoid âbottle-necksâ at the votersâ roll officer.
Further to this, we have loaded the zip-zip scanner with the national
segment of the votersâ roll. This will help with the issuing of sequential
numbers of voters on the physical copy of the votersâ roll and thus also assist
with easing âbottle-necksâ. This is done with a view to securing the
convenience of the voter because the voter is central to the electoral
process.
Electoral security
Over the last few months we have been working with the state security agencies
in an endeavour to ensure that the voting public is safe and voting materials
are delivered to voting stations in circumstances of requisite safety. The
security plans that are in place confer confidence that all voters will be safe
not only at voting stations but also on their routes to voting stations.
We advise members of the public that no arms will be permitted at voting
stations. Those who turn up at the voting stations under the influence of
alcohol will be turned back. We will not tolerate any form of disruptive
behaviour at the voting stations. The security of all voters is important
because the voter is central to the electoral process.
We also wish to advice employers in the retail sector to ensure that
workers, casual or otherwise, are given reasonable opportunity to go and cast
their ballots. The constitutional right to vote is given further by the
declaration of a public holiday on the 22 April 2009.
Conclusion
We are at a point where we celebrate our nationality as South Africans;
elections represent a unique opportunity where ordinary citizens shape the
future of their country. The right and exercise of the vote goes to the heart
of expressing oneâs citizenship and allegiance to the country. As a province we
place the voter as a central component of the electoral process. We believe our
planning and execution are impeccable and we will serve voters with honour and
due dignity.
Media Enquiries:
Mr Solly Kganyago
Media Relations Officer
Cell: 083 499 8243
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
20 April 2009
