Government has reiterated Cabinet's call to all eligible voters to come out in large numbers on 18 May 2011 to exercise their democratic right to elect a government of their choice. "Regular, free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our democracy. Our votes on May 18 will go a long way towards entrenching South Africa as a democratic society with a legitimate government that is accountable, responsive and open," said Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi. He added that government is … [Read more...] about This is why you are on Holiday on 18 May
local elections
Longer Hours for Home Affairs Opening on 18 May
The Department of Home Affairs is pulling out all the stops to ensure that those who need Identity Documents (IDs) to cast their vote on 18 May have every opportunity to obtain them. Addressing a media briefing on Friday, the department's Director-General Mkuseli Apleni said on the day of the municipal elections all Home Affairs offices will open at 7am and close at 7pm. Apart from the normal services it offers, the offices will also issue temporary identity certificates to those who do … [Read more...] about Longer Hours for Home Affairs Opening on 18 May
Voting Day – Vital Information
There is an e-mail doing the rounds with the title "Voting Day - Vital Information". As with all chain typr e-mails the first thought that hits ones mind is that it is a lot of crap. But, as this years local elections are pretty vital I had a sniff around to check the veracity of the mail which reads: I am working at a local polling station (overseeing vote counting). Please tell all your friends to DOUBLE CHECK their voting paper is STAMPED at the back otherwise their vote does not … [Read more...] about Voting Day – Vital Information
Fancy a Slap Up Meal?
If you want your share of free inyama tomorrow apparently all you will have to do is wear clothes of a certain colour, sing words that sound like "fix my washing machine" and incorporate dance moves that approximate the shooting of a machine gun in your dancing. As my "A Non E Mouse" informant, who is stocking up on clothes that have the colour of the sky, reports; "There is going to be a BIG party in Motherwell tomorrow. As I am sure you know, Zuma is visiting PE to canvass more votes. Two … [Read more...] about Fancy a Slap Up Meal?
Today, 3 May, is Last Day for Special Vote Applications
Registered voters who will be unable to cast their votes in their respective voting districts on May 18 have until 5pm today, 3 May 2011, to submit their applications for special votes. These voters include those who are housebound due to illness/infirmity, are hospitalised or deployed far from home for work reasons. Voters who want to apply for special votes can download and complete the MEC 35 form on the IEC website www.iec.org.za. However, voters cannot email or fax their … [Read more...] about Today, 3 May, is Last Day for Special Vote Applications
Special Vote Application Period Closes 3 May
People with disabilities who will not be able to get to their polling stations to cast their vote on 18 May should apply for a special vote, says Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana. The opportunity to apply for special votes opened on 15 April and will close on 3 May. People with disabilities or infirmity, and the elderly need to complete application forms for special votes and submit them to their Municipal Electoral Office before 3 May. If they are … [Read more...] about Special Vote Application Period Closes 3 May
Survey Notes Drop in Voter Apathy
Voting interest among South Africans was generally higher with over 90 percent satisfaction expressed with regards to the country's voting process, a survey commissioned by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has found. It found that 79 percent of South Africans intended to vote in the next elections on 18 May while 21 percent said they would stay away from the voting stations. About 500 specific areas were visited with seven households selected in each area and face to face … [Read more...] about Survey Notes Drop in Voter Apathy
Low Voter Turnout an Expected Local Election ‘Challenge’
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has indicated that it is ready for the upcoming local government elections on 18 May. IEC chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula made presentations on their state of preparations before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday. She said 23.6 million people are registered to vote in the 2 859 voting stations across the country, and 200 000 IEC officials would be trained to ensure that the … [Read more...] about Low Voter Turnout an Expected Local Election ‘Challenge’
Do You Qualify to Cast a Special Vote?
A special vote allows a registered voter, who can't vote at their voting station on election day, to apply to vote on a predetermined day before election day in May 2011. To apply for a special vote, you must: be registered in South Africa as a voter have a green, bar-coded ID book or a valid temporary identity certificate and be on the Voters' Roll. By law, you can apply for a special vote if you: can't travel to your voting station because you are physically infirm or … [Read more...] about Do You Qualify to Cast a Special Vote?
Follow Election Developments on Twitter @IECLoveyourSA
Applications for special votes for the 18 May local government elections will start on 15 April, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chief electoral officer, Adv Pansy Tlakula, announced on Friday. Briefing reporters on the IEC's countdown to the 2011 municipal elections shortly after the IEC consultative meeting with political parties on the election timetable, Tlakula said special votes will take place two days before Election Day. Applications for special votes will close on 3 … [Read more...] about Follow Election Developments on Twitter @IECLoveyourSA
Now it is up to You to Vote
The voters' roll is now officially closed for the 18 May local government elections. This effectively means that no new voter registration can take place and voters' details cannot be amended. Only individuals who were registered on the voters' roll by 5pm, on Thursday, 10 March will be eligible to vote in the upcoming elections. This comes after acting Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, proclaimed the voting date on Thursday afternoon. The voters' … [Read more...] about Now it is up to You to Vote
Political Parties Pledge to Play Nice
Political parties registered to contest the 18 May municipal elections in Gauteng have signed a code of conduct aimed at creating a conducive environment consistent with democratic elections. By signing the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Code of Conduct, the 11 political parties to contest the forthcoming elections in the province pledged to refrain from war talk and all acts of violence, including intimidation during their campaign trail. The political organisations are the Pan … [Read more...] about Political Parties Pledge to Play Nice
One Million New Voters
Over one million new potential voters have registered to vote in the 18 May local government elections. Releasing the final registration weekend results on Wednesday, Independent Electoral Commission chairperson (IEC), Dr Brigalia Bam, said they were satisfied with the numbers they had received during the final voter registration weekend. "There were 1 081 667 new registrations, a further 1 417 089 persons re-registered because they have moved to a new voting district ... A further 233 211 … [Read more...] about One Million New Voters
Where to now Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association?
On the eve of the handing over of an interdict, by the newly formed Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association to prevent use of R10 Million rand of ratepayers money to 'assist the IEC in the upcoming local elections', the proposal by council was rescinded by the Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municupality, Nobuhle Mohapi, who said that Council will not act on recommendations of an earlier report to spend between R6m and R10m on the upcoming local elections. She gave the … [Read more...] about Where to now Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association?
Do NOT ASSUME that you are registered to vote, CHECK.
To get your registration details in order to vote on 18 May, you can: Enter your ID number on the IEC's Am I registered? page SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS sent/received) Call the IEC toll-free (from a landline) on 0800 11 8000 Find your Voting Station here. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will wrap up its efforts to register 1.5 million new voters during its final voter registration drive this weekend ahead of the 18 May municipal elections. This weekend, 5 … [Read more...] about Do NOT ASSUME that you are registered to vote, CHECK.
