Bridge the Gap
ELECTION season has started and this year is a very important election year. In August we will be going to the polls to elect our local government leaders that will run the city of Ekurhuleni for the next five years. Voting is one of the most important rights that people have and the weekend of …
ELECTION season has started and this year is a very important election year. In August we will be going to the polls to elect our local government leaders that will run the city of Ekurhuleni for the next five years.
Voting is one of the most important rights that people have and the weekend of March 5 and 6 will be voter registration weekend. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa will be opening several voting stations across Alberton and Ekurhuleni for the weekend to assist voters to register so that they can vote in the upcoming elections.
Voting stations are opened to allow people that have not previously voted, or people that will be voting for the first time to register on the voters roll. Everyone over the age of 16 can register to vote.
You can however only vote from the age of 18. This may be one of the last opportunities for prospective voters to register. In order to vote you have to be on the voters roll. If you have moved you might also need to re-register in your new ward. Wards have changed in Alberton and a new ward was established to accommodate the growing number of voters in Meyersdal. If you previously voted in Meyersdal and Alberton CBD you are part of the new ward 106.
Due to the changes in the municipal demarcation there will be some changes to voting district boundaries and residents may be affected as a result of this. I encourage residents to visit the IEC during voter registration weekend to make sure they are on the voters roll.
To check if you are registered and exactly where you are registered, residents can SMS their ID number to 32810. This automated system of the IEC will send you a reply SMS with the detail of your registration status and exactly where you are registered to vote.
If you are not registered to vote and you are going to miss the coming voter registration weekend you can still register at the local municipal electoral office located in the Alberton Customer Care Centre, but please remember to make an appointment by calling 011 999 2059 during office hours.
Residents require a valid South African green barcoded ID book or a new ID Smart Card to register to vote.
For more information residents can visit the IEC website at www.iec.org.za
Bridge the gap and register to vote for a better life in 2016.
