This coming weekend, September 18 and 19, will be your final opportunity to become eligible to cast your vote in the upcoming local government elections.
The 2021 Local Government Elections will be held to select representatives who have a direct impact on matters within the city and municipality in which you live. Voting is a vital act of public participation that was hard-fought for by generations of men and women before us. Joining your fellow citizens in helping to select public representatives should be seen as a unifying act of collective responsibility.
Traditionally voter registration has been done in person but this year, through the assistance of the IEC Voter Portal, residents may check their registration status, update their details or register to vote for the very first time. In order to take of advantage of the online offering, all that is required is internet access and a cellphone to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
For first-time voters or those re-registering but not wanting to do so in person, the online process is as simple as a few minutes online. Once eligibility and identity are confirmed, voters will be asked to send a copy of their ID for validation, after which they will receive SMS notification of their registration. If one gets a little confused on the way, a helpful, easy to navigate user guide is on the home page of the IEC Voter Portal.
Just as the process of voting is done in person, the good old-fashioned walk-in will always be available, and should one be unfamiliar with where they should be voting, they may use the IEC’s easy voting station finder at maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder/. Every vote counts and for a few moments of your time, you too can play a part in the direction your city and community is headed by going to registertovote.elections.org.za.
