Voters in Mpumalanga must confirm their registration, bring valid identification and understand their ballot papers ahead of the November 4 municipal elections.

IEC spokesperson Thanduxolo Chembeni urged voters to prepare before election day.

“Check your registration details, confirm your voting station and make sure you have the correct identification document,” Chembeni said.

Voting stations will open at 07:00 and close at 21:00. Voters must be South African citizens aged 18 or older, registered to vote, and carry a green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or valid Temporary Identification Certificate. They must vote where registered.

Voters can confirm their station by SMSing their ID numbers to 32810, sending ‘Hi’ via WhatsApp to 0600 88 0000, or calling 0800 11 8000.

Station officials check roll and addresses

At the station, a door controller will scan their ID using a Voter Management Device. A voters’ roll officer will verify their details and mark their names off the roll. Anyone whose residential address is missing must provide their current address before receiving ballots.

“Without an address, voters will not receive ballot papers and will not be able to vote,” Chembeni said.

ALSO READ: 24 parties battle for control of CoM council

An official will ink voters’ left thumbnails before issuing three stamped ballot papers.

Three separate ballots decide council seats
The white or grey ward ballot allows voters to choose the candidate they want representing their ward in the local municipal council. The candidate may represent a political party or stand independently.

The green local council proportional representation (PR) ballot allows voters to choose a political party for representation in the local municipal council. It helps determine each party’s share of council seats through proportional representation.

The yellow district council PR ballot allows voters to choose a political party for representation in the district municipal council, helping determine party representation at district level.

ALSO READ: Mbombela’s R5.1b budget puts municipality in election spotlight

“These are three separate choices: A candidate for your ward, a party for your local council and a party for your district council,” Chembeni explained.

He urged voters to make only one mark per ballot, fold each paper to conceal their choices and place it in the ballot box. Photographing marked ballots is prohibited.

Voters who make mistakes may request replacement ballots, with up to two replacements permitted after the initial issue. Those needing assistance can approach the presiding officer.

Special voting for approved applicants will take place on November 2 and 3, from 08:00 to 17:00. The IEC expects to announce results within seven days after voting.