The Western Cape premier, Alan Winde, visited the Drakenstein municipality on 6 October where he engaged with the public on the importance to register to vote.
Alongside him, Tertius Simmers provincial minister of infrastructure secured posters on lamp posts in Mbekweni which will hopefully encourage passersby to register for the upcoming national and provincial elections in 2024.
According to the Electoral Commissions of South Afria (IEC), citizens of 18 years and older can only vote if they are registered within the area where they reside
Besides online registration that can be done leading up to the election, the IEC has created specific in person nationwide registration weekends.
“The Electoral Commission will host the first registration weekend for the 2024 Elections on 18-19 November 2023, when all voting stations will be open from 08:00 to 17:00, on both the Saturday and Sunday,” said Kate Bapela, IEC national spokesperson.
During 2024, 17 and 18 February will be the final voter registration weekend.
Online registration can be done here with a valid South African identity document (ID): https://www.elections.org.za/pw/voter/voter-registration-campaign
It is important to vote, and only by registering can one do so.
Here are five reasons to vote, according to the IEC:
Voting grants you an opportunity to decide on the quality of life you want for yourself, your community and future generations.- By participating in the electoral process, you get a say in how things are done for the next five years.
- You pay taxes, even when you buy a sack of potatoes. Voting gives you an opportunity to choose how your taxes are allocated.
- Democracy only works if people participate. Unless society actively participate in the process, democracy will not work.
- Voting is an opportunity for economic and social improvement. To check your voter registration status, go to www.elections.org.za
