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Over 400 000 New Election Registrations

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While over 400 000 people have visited voting stations across the country to register for the upcoming municipal elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Sunday urged citizens to make their way to stations ahead of the deadline at 5pm.

Dr Brigalia Bam, the chairperson of the IEC, said the more than 400 000 excluded those who visited voting stations to check their details. Sunday is the second day of the Commission’s registration drive that began on Saturday. The registration drive is being held to give new voters a chance to register for this year’s municipal elections.

“We thank all South Africans who have heeded our call to register, re-register and check their details yesterday and today. We call on all South Africans to visit our voting stations before they close at 5pm today,” she said.

Since Saturday morning, over 97 000 people visited the IEC website until 11am today to check their details, said Bam, adding that normally, the Saturday (which was the first day of the registration drive) is the quieter of the two days. An even-better turnout is being hoped for.

Of those reconfirming their registration details, 129 000 SMSes have been received by the IEC, while over 13 000 people called their IEC call centre to enquire about their details.

Although the IEC was pleased with the turnout countrywide, there were some glitches in three provinces due to heavy rains.  In the Northern Cape, five voting stations were closed and by Sunday a further eight stations in Poffadder, Sol Plaatjie, Sutherland and three in the Postmansburg area were closed.

“In the Free State, there were 11 stations which did not open, three in the Zastron area, one at Koffiefontein, four at Trompsburg and three in the Dewetsdorp area. It is hoped that some of these may open during the course of the day,” said Dr Bam.

Two stations in Beaufort West in the Western Cape were closed on Saturday, while another was closed today in Prince Albert.

There were no weather challenges in Gauteng, North West or Mpumalanga.  Also, the weather has improved in Limpopo and all stations were now open.

On Saturday, IEC officials found themselves climbing up a mountain in order to reach 50 households in the Limpopo’s Blouberg municipality district.

Registered voters are advised to SMS their ID number to 32810, contact the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 or visit the IEC website to check on their registration details.

Final registration figures would be released on Wednesday. – BuaNews

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.