Everything on track for Election Day
The Electoral Commission is confident that all preparations are in place for a free, fair and peaceful 2016 Municipal Election.
All that remains is for all 26.3 million registered voters to come out and cast their votes tomorrow.
The 22 612 voting stations will open for voting at 7h00 and close at 19h00. Of course, no voter will be turned away and voters who are at voting stations at 19h00 but have not yet had an opportunity to vote will be allowed to cast their ballots.
Voters must vote where they are registered and be in possession of a valid South African identity document.
Each voter in a metropolitan council will receive two ballot papers – one for their ward candidate and one for a political party. In addition, voters in local councils will receive an additional political party ballot paper for the district council.
Voters are reminded that each ballot paper must be stamped on the reverse and unstamped ballots will not be counted.
Voters are also reminded that it is prohibited to take a photograph or “selfie” of their marked ballot paper. This is essential to protect the secrecy and integrity of their vote and the process. We encourage voters to rather take a picture of their marked thumb to show they have voted and to post these on social media with the hashtag #ivoted to encourage further participation.
The Electoral Commission is satisfied that it has done everything in its power to prepare for these elections which are the largest yet undertaken in South Africa.
Three issues remain of concern to the Electoral Commission:
- Disruption from protests
While the vast majority of the country has seen a peaceful build up to the elections, there have been isolated areas marked by violence and protest action.
South Africans get to vote once every five years for those who will manage their cities, towns and metros. The Electoral Commission appeals to all citizens to uphold the values of our Constitution and the rule of law and to make their voices heard through the ballot box.
Security forces will be deployed throughout the country and especially in high risk areas to ensure that voting is allowed to proceed unimpeded.
The Electoral Commission reminds all voters and citizens that it is against the law to hold protest marches, demonstrations or any political event from midnight tonight to midnight tomorrow.
- Inclement weather
The South African Weather Service is forecasting mixed fortunes for the country tomorrow with “cold, wet and windy” weather in the south and east and cold conditions in the interior.
Gail force winds are expected in both the Eastern Cape and Western Cape starting late today as a cold front moves into the interior of the country from South-West to North-East.
The cold front will be accompanied by rain in the southern and south eastern parts of the country. The coastal corridor from Cape Town to East London will experience 60 percent chance of rain for most of tomorrow. Durban is likely to experience rain in the late afternoon towards the closing of voting stations.
Light snowfall has also been forecast for Sutherland, Beaufort, Pietermaritzburg, Rhodes, Barkley East, Mount Fletcher, Qacha’s Nek and Zastron.
The Electoral Commission appeals to voters to dress warmly and appropriately for the weather especially in the early morning and evening.
3. Political campaigning
Political parties have had many months to spread their message and to convince voters. The Electoral Commission appeals for parties to now allow voters some respite from campaigning to reflect on their choice.
This is not to say that voting is a sombre occasion but parties should respect the privacy and choice of voters on Election Day – along with the provisions of the electoral legislation which prevents political gatherings on Election Day and any political activity within voting stations.
It is important to note that Section 75 of the Municipal Electoral Acts does not prohibit all campaigning on voting day. It prohibits specific political activities – namely that no person may:
(a) Hold or take part in any political meeting, march, demonstration or other political event; or
(b) Engage in any political activity, other than casting a vote, in the area within the boundary of a voting station
This means that any organised political activity or event is prohibited but low-key campaigning including the presence of party members outside of voting stations is not illegal as long as these activities are outside of the voting station and do not interfere with the voting process.
Conclusion
The Electoral Commission has spent many, many months in preparation for these elections. A key aspect of this has been consulting with and engaging all of our stakeholders in the process.
This includes political parties and candidates, the media, security and government structures at all levels, civil society organisations, community organisations and the voters of South Africa.
It is time now for all of us to work together to ensure that these elections are free and fair and that the outcome reflects the will of the people of South Africa.
Each of these stakeholders has a role to play in this regard.
We call on political parties to deploy their party agents and to ensure they participate constructively in the monitoring and oversight of the voting and counting process. They must satisfy themselves – and their parties – of the transparency and credibility of the process and that all laws were upheld by all participants.
Observers too must ensure that the rules, regulations and electoral processes are implemented without irregularity.
The media should educate and inform and shine a light on the election process. They should also help to encourage maximum participation.
Equally, we remind the approximately 200 000 election staff that the credibility of this election is in their hands. They must at all times uphold and implement the laws impartially, fairly and consistently.
Finally to the voters of South Africa: you are both the key participants and the key recipients of the outcome of these elections. Only by voting and by voting with your own interests at heart will the outcome reflect your will.
Voter Checklist:
- You must be registered to vote and at least 18 years old by midnight tonight
- You must vote at the voting station where you are registered
- You must have your ID document (green barcoded ID, smartcard ID or Temporary ID certificate)
- Voting Hours are 07h00 to 19h00
- Make sure your ballot papers are stamped on the back
- Dress warmly and prepare for rain in the southern and eastern parts of the country
- It is illegal to take a picture of your marked ballot paper
- Share that you voted and post your “thumbie” on social media #ivoted
- Please give us your address before you leave the voting station
Election Fast Facts:
Municipalities: 257
- 8 metros
- 205 local municipalities
- 44 district councils
Wards: 4 392
Registered voters: 26 333 353
Candidates: 63 718
Council seats up for grabs: 10 285 (Including District Council seats)
Total councillors who will be elected: 9 301 (This excludes Districts Councils as councillors serve on both local and district councils).
Ballot papers:
- 4 649 unique ballot papers
- Two ballots papers for each voter in metros; three ballot papers for each voter in local municipalities
- Approximately 73.9 million ballots in total printed and distributed
Enquiries:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
Email: spokesperson@elections.org.za
