South African voters will go to the polls on 3 August 2016 to cast their votes in the municipal elections.
As was the case with previous elections, the Electoral Commission will establish a national results operation centre and nine provincial centres with the aim of creating facilities for the media and other stakeholders where they can easily access information on voting and the results.
National results operation centre
The national Results Operation Centre will be in Pretoria: Hall J, Tshwane Events Centre (previously Pretoria International Show Grounds), Soutter Street (off DF Malan Street), Pretoria West.
Office space will be available for the media in the Centre and will include the following:
- 3mx3m office which will be available from the launch of the Centre (usually one week before election day) until the announcement of the final results.
- Partitioning, door with lock, carpet, two electrical power points, table and two chairs.
- Telephone line & instrument for internal use, a network point with IEC provided computer to access the results and shared printer.
For own cost
- Any additional requirements such as ADSL/data and external voice lines
These offices are for use by media representatives who will be working from the Results Operation Centre for the duration of the election week, i.e. election day up to the announcement of the results.
Two forms are attached for completion – one for office space and one for technical requirements for broadcasters. Media representatives interested in office space should indicate their interest and broadcasters their technical requirements too by completing the relevant form and email/fax it back to Lydia Young on YoungL@elections.org.za / 012-622 5354 or Michael Ford on FordM@elections.org.za as soon as possible but not later than Monday, 30 May 2016.
Media organisations who intend broadcasting from the Centre using Telkom infrastructure must submit their requirements not later than 30 May 2016. Please note that all Telkom requirements for the Centre must be channelled via Michael Ford, you will not be able to make your own arrangements in this regard.
A pool area/media centre will be available to media representatives who will not be working from the Centre or who are not interested in offices. This area will be equipped with tables/chairs and computers to access the results. Copy and fax facilities will be available at the Business Centre. Except for the use of the fax, the facilities at the Centre will be available free of charge.
Media representatives in the Centre will have access to reports on the election results system. Training will be given on the use of the system on dates still to be confirmed.
Computers (IEC provided computers) linked to the results system will not have access to the Internet, but Internet access will be available at the Business Centre.
Please note that although free Wi-Fi will be available in the Centre, you will not be able to transfer or receive video files. Members of the media will also be able to use their own 3G cards.
Accreditation for the national Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Pretoria is compulsory. Requirements, dates and times for this process will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
Provincial results operation centres
Operation Centres will also be established in the nine provinces.
Members of the media who wish to make use of the facilities at these centres are requested to call the contact person for the centre they are interested in as soon as possible to determine the requirements for that specific centre.
Eastern Cape
Contact persons: Kayakazi Magudumana / Pearl Ngoza on 043 709 4200
Free State
Contact persons: Jabulani Tshabalala / Mmathabo Rasengane on 051 401 5000
Gauteng
Contact persons: Thabo Masemula / Boitumelo Monaki on 011 644 7400
KwaZulu-Natal
Contact persons: Ntombifuthi Masinga on 031 279 2200 / Thabani Ngwira on 084 505 5117
Limpopo
Contact persons: Itumeleng Masenya / Motsiri Ramafalo on 015 283 9100
Mpumalanga
Contact persons: Jabu Mthethwa on 013 754 0200 / Sibusiso Nkosi on 013 754 0200
North West
Contact persons: Kim Kresfelder on 018 391 0800
Northern Cape
Contact persons: Elkin Topkin / Ntsoaki Sebeela on 053 838 5000
Western Cape
Contact persons: Derrick Marco / Trevor Davids on 021-910 5700
