For millions of South Africans, marking an X on a ballot paper is a chance to demand better services, hold local leaders accountable or push for change in their communities.

Next week, voters will have the opportunity to help shape the future of municipalities across the country.

With just a week to go before voting day, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) opened its National Results Operations Centre (ROC) at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand yesterday (October 28), declaring its results system fit for purpose ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

Voters’ roll expands to 29m

A total of 29 230 808 voters are registered for the elections, which is an increase of more than three million from the 26 204 579 registered for the 2021 municipal elections. The latest figures represent about an 11.5% increase in the voters’ roll.

However, a larger voters’ roll does not necessarily translate into greater participation. Only about 46% of registered voters cast their ballots in the 2021 municipal elections, highlighting the challenge of getting eligible voters to participate in the democratic process.

The ROC will serve as the central hub for receiving, capturing, verifying and releasing results from the country’s 23 696 voting stations.

It will also allow political parties, independent candidates and the media to monitor the results process, with transparency and public confidence central to the credibility of the elections.

Mamabolo declares system ready

IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the centre represents not only the physical infrastructure needed to process election results, but also the country’s constitutional ethos as an electoral democracy.

He described the ROC as a temporary monument to electoral integrity, emphasising its role in safeguarding transparency throughout the results process.

Special voting is scheduled for November 2 and 3, ahead of the main voting day on Wednesday, November 4.

Mamabolo said the commission had independently tested and audited its results system to assess its functionality and resilience against cybersecurity threats.

Although the audit identified areas needing attention, the commission said it had addressed the findings.

“Our report to the nation is that those findings have now been remediated, and the results system is hereby declared ready and fit for purpose,” Mamabolo said.

Mamabolo also reminded voters that IEC workers are only human and may make mistakes, ‘but we are trying our best to be transparent and accountable’.

Show up

Registered voters must remember to take their green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or temporary ID certificate. Voting stations are open from 07:00- 21:00.

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