August 31, 2005
By Tammy O'Reilly
ALL eligible voters in Johannesburg who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so in the run up to municipal elections.
More than 18 000 voter registration offices across the country will be open from 7am to 5pm on Saturday, 3 September to register first time voters and to update the details of registered voters.
"Registering to vote will give residents an opportunity to elect their own local public representatives and determine the overall direction of the city," says Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo.
"In instances where individuals are undecided about which party to vote for, they should still register now and decide later."
All voters who registered for the last elections have been urged to check their details on the voters' roll as the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has changed some voting district boundaries. If their voting district has been changed they need to cast their ballots in the new district.
To register, one needs to be 16 years old or older and be a South African citizen in possession of a green barcoded identity document or a valid temporary identification certificate. No other identification is acceptable, for example a driving licence, a passport or a certified copy of an ID book.
However, to vote one must have turned 18 before the elections date.
First time voters should note that they can only register in the areas in which they live. This does not necessarily mean the registration office closest to them, however, as new voting districts have been created since the 2004 general election.
The IEC has been visiting these districts since 15 July, informing residents of these changes.
Voters can find out where they can register by logging on to the IEC website or calling the toll-free contact centre on 0800 11 8000.
Registered voters can SMS their ID numbers to 32810 to confirm their voter details and the details of the voting station at which they can cast their ballots.
"I wish especially to urge the young voters who will have reached the voting age of 18 before the date of the election to register before the deadline," Masondo says.
"For many, this election will be the first opportunity to cast their vote. Make your voice heard about the way Johannesburg should be governed."
Although the general registration date is 3 September, first time voters can also register at Municipal Electoral Offices on weekdays from 8am to 5pm. They can call the toll-free line to find the office most convenient for them.
A date for the local government elections is yet to be announced but will take place on a day between 7 December 2005 and 1 March 2006.
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