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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 17 Sep 2008 Title: Voter registration opens 8 November -------------------- By Bathandwa Mbola Johannesburg - South Africans will be able to register to vote in next year's elections on 8 and 9 November. Announcing the election procedure in Midrand on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission, Advocate Pansy Tlakula said registration will be open throughout the country between 8am and 5pm on this weekend. It is also planned that all voting stations in the country will be opened over one weekend towards the end of 2008, so that eligible voters can register to vote. A further voter registration drive will run in February 2009 for those who missed the previous runs. Those who had changed their address or personal details will also be allowed to make changes then. The voters roll will officially close in March 2009. The fourth national democratic elections will see the ushering in of a new government, as President Thabo Mbeki's term comes to an end in April. President Mbeki will announce the official election date at a later stage. According to the commission, there are currently over 20 million registered voters on the national voter's roll while there is a total of 137 registered political parties. Ms Tlakula encouraged all South Africans to make use of voter registration opportunities. "In a proportional representation system like, such as ours, every vote counts. I trust that South Africans will come out in their numbers, firstly to register and then cast their votes as we together continue to shape our amazing country's future." In preparing for the 2009 election, the commission is recruiting and training 59 115 election officials to help conduct the registrations. It is also procuring vast quantise of materials. "These include 20 million voter registration forms, 300 000 street pole posters, 44 000 stationary packs and 40 000 banners," said Ms Tlakula, adding that the material would be used to urge South Africans to exercise their voting rights. "In addition to this, we have begun work on enhancing our IT infrastructure to ensure the smooth running of the registration, voting and results processes." Significantly, the commission has replaced its aging fleet of scanners and now have 30 000 new units which will be used for the registration weekend. The commission's Chairperson Brigalia Bam said it was important for all the IEC's systems as well as the individuals responsible for the management of the election to be independent, impartial, transparent and accountable in their functioning. She stressed that the 2009 elections would be free and fair, and would not be compromised by political interference. The IEC was formally established in terms of Chapter 9 of the country's Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act of 1996. In 1997, when the IEC was established, South Africa did not have a national common voters' roll. The first voters roll, compiled by the IEC in 1999, contained more than 18 million names. Ten years later, the number has grown to more than 20 million. The country also did not have any voting districts until the IEC created 14 650 of them between June and November 1998, for the first registration weekend. This year the commission will increase the stations to 19 705. To find out if you are on the voter's roll, SMS your ID number to 32810 or visit www.elections.org.za . - BuaNews |
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