South Africans preparing to vote in the November 4 local government elections have been urged to check their voting stations, carry the correct identification documents and familiarise themselves with voting procedures to avoid delays at the polls.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo outlined the commission's election preparations during a media briefing on Sunday, November 1, confirming that special voting would take place on November 2 and 3 before the main election on Wednesday.
The commission has approved more than 2.6 million voters for special voting and deployed 127,000 officials to administer the two-day process.
What documents must you bring to vote?
The IEC has confirmed that voting stations will open from 8am until 5pm on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, for voters approved for special voting.
Mamabolo reminded voters that they must present an acceptable South African identity document before being allowed to cast their ballots.
"The Commission reminds voters that they may only cast their special vote at the voting station where they are registered and must present a South African identity document before being allowed to vote," Mamabolo said.
The IEC accepts the following documents:
- South African Smart ID Card.
- A green barcoded South African ID book.
- A valid Temporary Identity Certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
How to check your voting station before leaving home
Voters have been encouraged to confirm their voting station details and voter-roll sequence numbers before travelling to the polls.
- IEC WhatsApp: 0600 88 0000
- IEC Contact Centre: 0800 11 8000
- SMS voting station details: 32810, R1 per SMS
- Official IEC website: www.elections.org.za
Mamabolo said providing a voter-roll sequence number to electoral officials would help them locate voters' names more quickly, reducing unnecessary delays.
The IEC Contact Centre will operate from 7am to 7pm during special voting and from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday, November 4.
Originally published on IOL.
