Councillors in Fourways are encouraging residents to vote

National and provincial elections are set to be on May 29 and the ward councillors of Fourways have gotten to work to encourage residents to vote. According to Mark van der Merwe, “We assisted residents to register and we had tables that we had in the ward where we provide residents with information as to where they can register. We also provide details on how to register on-line via our messaging group to over 6500 residents in the ward. Additionally we took the IEC to the old age homes so that they could register all the new residents at that location instead of them having to travel to a voting station.”

He is encouraging all residents to vote. “Generally voter apathy is the biggest issue. Last elections 45% of registered voters bothered to go out and vote. It is a privilege to vote and residents should take this seriously. If you do not vote you are saying you are happy with the crumbling infrastructure and constant issues plaguing the country. If you are happy with the way the country is run you need to go out and vote for the party that runs the National Government and if you not happy you need to understand the various party manifestos and decide which party you believe will do better. We are encouraging all residents that vote, to take along a partner or friend that does not normally vote and encourage them to use their democratic right to vote.”

Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy said, “It has been really encouraging to see the number of residents who’ve heeded the call to register to vote. “We still have a lot of people who are moving or have been away and are unable to register to vote and we encouraged them to use the Section 24 A form that will enable them to vote away from their registration voting station.” He said he is constantly embarking on voter education drives using all mediums available like social media platforms. “I cannot stress how important it is for a resident to be able to vote as this is a crucial election for South Africa. Your vote in the upcoming election is extremely important as it will determine our future and the path we follow over the next five years.”

According to Ward 94 councillor David Foley, resident have always been encouraged to vote. “The voting tables put out are to encourage residents to make their mark and vote. We have been helping people with the IEC voting face to face and online.”

The voting stations in Ward 115 are:

• Juda Afrika in Kya Sands
• Nautilus Park in Bloubosrand
• Magic Beings in Joburg North
• Fourways High in Fourways
• Crawford Prep in Craigavon

The voting stations in Ward 94 are:

• Beaulieu prep on Percheron
• Cluny Farm on Rose Road
• Riversands School off century Boulevard
• Lonehill Crawford on Lonehill Boulevard
• Witkoppen School on William Nicol Drive

The voting stations in Ward 93 are:

• St Peter’s College on Maxwell drive
• The square (Checkers) Sunninghill
• Rivonia Club in Paulshof
• St Peter’s Prep in Paulshof
• Kingfisher Park

According to the IEC this is how the May 29 election will work:

• On election day, go to the voting station at which you’re registered (check your voter registration status to find out where you’re registered). During national and provincial elections, you can vote at any station countrywide but, if you vote at a station outside the province in which you’re registered, you can only vote in the national election.
• Show your green, bar-coded, South African ID book or a temporary identification certificate to the voting officer.
• The voting officer checks that your name appears on the voters’ roll. If you are not on the voters’ roll, but have proof that you have registered (e.g. registration sticker), the Presiding Officer must validate your proof of registration. If he/she is satisfied with the proof, you must complete a VEC4 form (national elections) or MEC7 form (municipal elections) and will then be allowed to continue as an ordinary voter.
• Once the voting officer is satisfied that you have the correct ID, are a registered voter and have not already voted, your name is marked off the roll, your ID is stamped on the second page and your thumbnail is inked.
• The voting officer stamps the back of the correct number of official ballot papers (one per election) and gives them to you.
• Take your ballot paper/s to an empty ballot booth, mark the ballot paper, fold it so that your choice isn’t visible and place the ballot paper in the ballot box.

Related article: Faith in IEC and political system is down – research shows