For the first time in the history of local government elections, visually impaired voters will have a new way of casting their votes in the 2011 municipal elections. "This time, we are going to use huge touch screens, Braille machines for the visually impaired and for those voters with low vision..." the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Dr Brigalia Bam, told BuaNews. The new Braille machines will have earphones which can be used to listen to recorded content on … [Read more...] about IEC Focus on Visually Impaired and Special Votes
local elections
18 May is the Day to Make Your Cross in the Local Elections
Acting President Kgalema Motlanthe has announced that the Local Government Elections will be held on 18 May. "After consultation with the Electoral Commission, government has set the date for the Local Government Elections as 18 May 2011," he said during a sitting of the National Council of Provinces on Thursday. He said the Minister for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sicelo Shiceka will in the next week in terms of section 24(2) of the Act, formally proclaim the election … [Read more...] about 18 May is the Day to Make Your Cross in the Local Elections
Home Affairs Ready to Assist Voters
The Department of Home Affairs is going all out ahead of this weekend’s voter registration for the local government elections, extending business hours to accommodate those applying for or collecting identity documents. Home Affairs Director-General Mkuseli Apleni said the department’s offices countrywide would be open from 8am to 5pm on 5 and 6 March. Officials are also expected to work extended hours on the day before the start of the voter registration weekend. “Officials at all our … [Read more...] about Home Affairs Ready to Assist Voters
One More Chance to Register for Local Elections
The Independent Electoral Commission has announced that it will hold another voter registration weekend on 5 and 6 March. This is in a bid to reach its target of 1.5 million registrations ahead of the local elections. The Minister of Cooperative Governance Sicelo Shiceka is yet to announce the date for the elections. At the weekend, around 480 000 people registered to vote, with many more visiting voting stations to check or update their details on the voters' roll. Ninety-eight percent … [Read more...] about One More Chance to Register for Local Elections
90 933 New Voters for the Eastern Cape
Despite a relatively slow first voter registration weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is confident it will achieve its target of registering 1.5 million new voters ahead of the municipal elections. The IEC's voter registration drive will close once Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka announces the elections date. A total of 1 406 702 South Africans re-registered for the first time, re-registered within the same voting district or … [Read more...] about 90 933 New Voters for the Eastern Cape
Over 400 000 New Election Registrations
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 … [Read more...] about Over 400 000 New Election Registrations
East Cape Farmers Praised for Crossing Overflowing Rivers to Register
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Eastern Cape on Sunday thanked some of the province's farmers for ensuring that workers registered for the upcoming Local Government Elections, despite overflowing rivers in some parts. Provincial Electoral Officer, Reverend Bongani Finca, said overflowing rivers in the farming area of Bavians had led to many people not getting to registration stations on time. At least two of the major stations in that area nearly failed to operate due to … [Read more...] about East Cape Farmers Praised for Crossing Overflowing Rivers to Register
Problem Free East Cape Voter Registration
Voter registration for the 2011 municipal elections in the Eastern Cape got off to a smooth start on Saturday. Reverend Bongani Finca, provincial electoral officer in the Eastern Cape, said voting stations opened on time and had been problem free. There were no queues at voting stations and those who did turn up to register were a mix of youngsters and middle-aged residents, he added. "About 80 percent of the province registered for the previous elections and are not required to … [Read more...] about Problem Free East Cape Voter Registration
