Are you ready and registered to make your mark in next year’s National and Provincial Elections (NPE)?

If not, this weekend (November 18 and 19) is the first voter registration weekend. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says people who were previously too young to vote, those who have moved to new voting districts, and those who had previously chosen not to vote must register if they want to have their say in who governs the country and their province.

The IEC adds that the registration weekend will also empower existing voters to ‘scrutinise and, where necessary, amend their registration details’.

More than 23 290 voting stations will be open this weekend, from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days. Remember to take along your green, bar-coded ID book; smartcard ID; or valid temporary identity certificate.

To vote, you must be a South African citizen. While you can register from age 16, you must be 18 or older to vote.

If you cannot get to a voting station, you can register in other ways:

• Those with internet access can visit https://registertovote.elections.org.za to register, inspect or update their details.
• Voters can also visit their local IEC office to register or update their information. Phone first to make an appointment. You can find your local office by visiting https://www.elections.org.za/pw/About-Us/Find-IEC-Local-Offices

Historic elections

The 2024 NPE, with the theme ‘Your democracy, own it’ is historic as it will be the first time independent candidates can stand for seats in the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. This follows the signing into law in April of the Electoral Amendment Bill.

At the launch of the 2024 NPE programme in Midrand, Gauteng, on October 24, chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said the term of office of the current legislatures – national and nine provincial – ends on May 18, 2024.

“The national and provincial governments would remain in office until the newly elected public representatives are able to take office.”

Mamabolo added that the Constitution states the country must have an election within 90 days of the expiry of the legislatures’ terms. “Therefore, an election is possible between May and the middle of August 2024.”

He said the election date will be proclaimed by President Cyril Ramaphosa after consultation with the IEC.

“Our expectation is that the provincial elections will, as they have for the past 30 years, be synchronised with the national election,” he explained at the launch.

Contact the IEC’s helpline on 0800 11 8000 or visit https://www.elections.org.za/pw/ for more information.

Find the answers to frequently asked voter registration questions by visiting https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/How-Do-I-Register