NELSPRUIT – Potential voters only have until February 9 to register to participate in the general elections due for later this year. The final voter registration weekend is coming up on February 8 to 9.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the date for the provincial and national election is expected to be announced by the president Mr Jacob Zuma once this registration period has closed. Until then, however, people can register by appointment at their municipal IEC offices.
In anticipation of the registration weekend, Lowvelder spoke to the three political parties represented in the Mpumalanga legislature to explain why they believed people should register to vote.
Mr Siphosezwe Masango, political head of the ANC’s subcommittee for communication, said it was irresponsible for citizens not to register to vote.
“We are encouraging people to and register to exercise their democratic right to choose the party of their choice. The government must be a product of the choice of citizens. It makes the government legitimate. Whether they do good or bad things, people will see this is their government.
“It is dangerous if very few people register and vote. If you don’t vote, you can’t influence the direction the country is taking. Of course, we would want the majority to vote for the ANC. The ANC has introduced transformation. It has ensured that South Africa becomes reconnected to the African continent and the international community.
“On the home front, there is peace among South Africans. We introduced the system on non-racialism and non-sexism. There is no discrimination based on those things anymore.
“South Africa is better than it was before 1994. The country is getting better every day. If people vote for the ANC, we will be able to continue with the work of transformation we have introduced.”
Mr Anthony Benadie, provincial leader of the DA that currently holds two seats in the provincial legislature, said the election will be the tipping point for South Africa.
“People should vote as it is indeed their only power which they have to ‘hire or fire’ their government. It is the most direct way of voters expressing their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the quality of their lives.
“Voters must realise that there is a direct correlation between your vote and the quality of life in a community. If you want to eradicate corruption and create jobs and opportunities for all, then you must use your vote to vote for a party that is serious about fighting corruption and creating opportunities. South Africa has so much potential, and voters hold the key to unlocking that potential in their hands.”
Benadie said people should vote for the DA, because the party was South Africa’s only truly non-racial party. “We offer a political home for all. We believe that the DA is the only party that can realise the fulfilment of the South African dream, the dream of a united, prosperous, free and safe society – the values so majestically espoused by Madiba. The DA can make the dream of democracy a reality.”
Ms Zale Madonsela of COPE, which won one seat in the legislature during the previous elections, said people should register and vote in order to be actively involved in the shaping of the future of the country.
“People should register in the upcoming registration or even before so that they become actively involved in the shaping of their country’s future. They must never abdicate their right that many died for in the struggle to free South Africa.
“They must never abdicate their responsibility of actively building and deepening democracy. It is therefore crucial to register in order to vote for the party of their choice.
“Voters should put their cross next to those parties that deserve. If COPE has demonstrated to be an appropriate vehicle that is capable of advancing an agenda of a united and prosperous South Africa, free from corruption, then we as COPE deserve those votes. Our people must be empowered and not be cannon fodder. They should judge COPE on its record and decide.”
For more information on acceptable identification to register and vote, read here.
