The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is calling on young South Africans to exercise their democratic right by registering to vote in the upcoming local government elections.

Registration weekend takes place on 20 and 21 June, with voting stations across the country open from 08:00 to 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

The appeal comes during Youth Month, which commemorates the young South Africans who stood against inequality and racial discrimination during the Soweto uprising in 1976.

All citizens aged 16 years and older (you can however only vote from age 18) are encouraged to register if it is their first time, or to re-register if their place of ordinary residence has changed. For local government elections, voters must register where they live and can only cast their ballots at the voting station where they are registered.

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Western Cape IEC Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said South Africa’s democracy was built on the courage and participation of its people.

“Today’s youth inherit that legacy as well as the responsibility to protect and strengthen it. So go online or make your way to our voting stations on registration weekend. You count, your voice counts, so place your opinion in the ballot to make a difference,” Hendrickse said.

In addition to the registration weekend, citizens can register or re-register online at www.elections.org.za or at local IEC offices.

To check registration details, citizens can visit www.elections.org.za, SMS their ID number to 32810, call the call centre at 0800 11 8000 during office hours, or check at their voting station during registration weekend.

Only those who have updated their address can be certain they will vote at the correct voting station.

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