IEC calls on youth to register

SOUTH Africans will head to voting stations this weekend to register to vote in the local government elections on November 1.

The Constitutional Court recently dismissed an urgent application by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for the elections to be postponed to February 2022. It ruled that voting must go ahead on any date between October 27 and November 1.

Following the court ruling, the IEC reopened the process to register candidates for the elections. This will allow political parties and independent candidates another opportunity to nominate candidates after the registration weekend.

Thabani Ngwira, the KZN communications officer for the IEC, said all 23 151 voting stations in the country would operate from 8am to 5pm.

“The registration weekend will offer all eligible citizens an opportunity to register, check or update their registration details and to re-register if they have moved. The commission urges young people, in particular, to take advantage of this opportunity to register,” he said.

Ngwira said the final candidate list would be published after the candidate nomination process was concluded. He said the deadline for candidate nomination would be published in the election timetable.

Registration is open to South Africans 16 years and older who have a green barcoded ID, an ID card or a temporary ID certificate. One, however, must be 18 years and older to vote.

Sanusha Naidu, a political analyst, said it was important to register to vote as voting did make a difference.

“For example, in Zambia, if you look at the youth vote, and how they voted out the previous president, the new president that came in was much younger and appealed to the youth. He addressed issues affecting them such as unemployment, growing the economy, poverty and inequality. By exercising your right to vote, you have used your vote to make some substantive change.”

Lubna Nadvi, another analyst, said: “Voting can bring about much needed change and vote out corrupt individuals and parties … and can help bring in effective and credible leadership.”

ETHEKWINI is on a mission to become the cleanest, most caring city in Africa by the end of this decade. But, for those who live in the city, the reality is quite the opposite.

Infrastructure has not been properly maintained, resulting in water and electricity outages that go on for days on end. Verges are overgrown, the stormwater system is clogged and roads are filled with potholes.

Not always, but all too often, residents have to deal with city employees who are incompetent and dismissive. Yet, it is these same workers who are rewarded with above inflation wage increases and bonuses.

The situation in eThekwini is not unique. Throughout KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, local government has all but collapsed.

On November 1 you have an opportunity to change this when local government elections are held. Yes, your one vote does make a difference.

The last time local government elections were held, just under six out of every 10 people who could vote did so in Durban. This time we need more people to get involved. However, it starts with being registered to vote.

You can do so any time online or by visiting the nearest office of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, which is also known as the IEC.

However, this weekend, IEC officials will be at the voting stations where you will be casting your ballot.

So, if you are a new voter or need to update your details because you have moved home, take advantage of the opportunity.

You have the ability to change things for the better, but it all starts with being registered to vote.