Over 2,65m voters registered to vote in upcoming election. Are you one of them?
The IEC has made history this year when they registered a total of 2,566 million voters. This is the highest number of voters ever registered to take part in elections.
NATIONAL – Under the slogan ‘Your future is in your hands’ South africans will be exercising their democratic rights and going to the polls on Wednesday. Voting at all stations will open at 7:00 on and close at 19:00.
According to Nkaro Mateta, the Independent Electoral Commission’s provincial head, many South Africans do not fully understand the importance of elections and the outcomes that come with it. “The outcome of local elections will determine many things that citizens tend to take for granted. Local taxes, maintenance of streets, funding for city and village projects and occasionally the reputation of a city or local Municipality all depend upon the election of mayors, representatives and council members. We urge all South Africans to participate in the election to further strengthen and localise our democracy,” Mateta said.
According to the IEC, the number of parties that will be participating in the elections this year has also risen. 56 parties will be contesting the elections compared to the 20 parties in 2011 and 16 in 2006 respectively.
The preparations for this year’s elections took 17 months of planning, six months of procurement and approximately R220 million in the IEC total budget.
Matate further explained that these elections will be a prime example of how far South Africa has come since the dawn of democracy. “Our elections are examples of democracy’s resilience. South Africa was polarised, angry and hated as pariah state. Despite all these factors, our nation has been able to hold transparent, free and fair elections. A majority of those who vote dictate the direction in which they want South Africa to go – ensuring that the very essence of democracy is fulfilled. This election will not be possible without the commitment of all South Africans to our democracy and the principles underpinning it.”
“We thank every South African for loving this country,” Matate concluded.
