The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has scheduled six municipal ward by-elections for Wednesday, 8 November 2023, in South Africa. To ensure that all eligible voters can participate, the registration process will take place over the weekend of 16-17 September 2023.

Voter Registration

During this weekend, voting stations in the affected wards will be open from 08h00 to 17h00, allowing citizens to register, check their registration details, and provide or update address information as necessary. To register, voters must bring their identity document (ID) in the form of a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate. They must also provide their physical home address or sufficient particularities of their place of residence.

It’s worth noting that documented proof of address, such as a municipal account, is not necessary. Voters can also check and update their details at their local (municipal) Electoral Commission (IEC) office on weekdays during office hours. However, it’s important to remember that registering and voting in a ward where one is not ordinarily resident is a criminal offense.

By-Elections

The by-elections will be held in six wards across the country. The vacancies in these wards have arisen due to various reasons, including the resignation or death of a councillor. The affected municipalities and the number of registered voters in each ward are as follows:

1. Gauteng
2. Ward 47 City of Tshwane Municipality (15,548 registered voters)

3. Ward 64 City of Tshwane (12,476 registered voters)

4. Limpopo

5. Ward 01 Ephraim Mogale (3,476 registered voters)

6. Mpumalanga

7. Ward 09 Msukaligwa (4,551 registered voters)

8. Ward 21 Govan Mbeki (5,057 registered voters)

9. Western Cape

10. Ward 07 Swartland (4,619 registered voters)

Special Voting

Special voting will take place on 7 November 2023, the day before the by-elections, between 08h00 and 17h00 at voting stations and through home visits. Those who wish to apply for a special vote can do so at their local IEC office during office hours between 23 and 27 October 2023. Applications for special votes can also be made online through the IEC’s website or via SMS by sending one’s identity number to 32249 (charged at R1). However, the SMS application facility is only available for those applying to cast a special vote at their voting station and not for home visits.

To obtain further information about these by-elections, contact your local (municipal) IEC office on weekdays during office hours. Their contact details can be found on the IEC website under the “Contact Us” section. As the IEC prepares for these by-elections, it’s important for eligible voters in the affected wards to ensure they are registered and informed about the voting process. By doing so, they can participate in shaping the future of their communities and contribute to South Africa’s democratic process.