On the 23rd of August 2023, several municipal ward by-elections are set to occur. To ensure all eligible voters can participate, the Electoral Commission has organized a voter registration weekend for the relevant wards.
Voter Registration Weekend
On the 8th and 9th of July 2023, voting stations within the contested wards will be open from 08h00 to 17h00. Eligible voters can use this weekend to register, check their registration details and update their address details if necessary. To register, voters will need to bring their identity document, such as a green barcoded ID book, smartcard ID, or Temporary ID Certificate. Although documented proof of address isn’t required, voters must provide sufficient details of their place of residence.
Voters who are eligible may also update their details at their local office of the Electoral Commission (IEC) on weekdays during regular office hours. However, voters are warned that registering and voting in a ward where they are not ordinarily resident is considered a criminal offence.
The Municipal Ward By-elections
There are several wards in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and North West areas where the by-elections will take place. These wards have experienced a councillor’s resignation or death, leading to vacancies that must be filled. The ward details are as follows:
Eastern Cape
- Ward 08 in Engcobo Municipality – EC137 (3,320 registered voters)
- Ward 12 in Engcobo Municipality – EC137 (3,076 registered voters)
- Ward 29 in Enoch Mgijima Municipality – EC139 (3,131 registered voters)
Gauteng
- Ward 102 in City of Johannesburg Municipality – JHB (18,939 registered voters)
North West
- Ward 25 in Madibeng Municipality – NW372 (7,498 registered voters)
Special Voting
On the 22nd of August 2023, special voting will take place at voting stations and through home visits from 08h00 to 17h00. To cast a special vote, voters can apply at their local IEC office during regular office hours from 7 August 2023 to 11 August 2023. Alternatively, they can apply online through the IEC website (www.elections.org.za). Once the application is processed, voters will receive an SMS notification about their special vote application’s outcome, and they can verify its status online.
For those who prefer to apply for special votes via mobile phone, they can SMS their identity number to 32249 (charged at R1). However, this option is only available to applicants casting a special vote at their voting station, not for home visits.
Contact Information and Safety Measures
For more information about the by-elections, voters can contact their local IEC office during regular office hours. Detailed contact information for all IEC offices is available on the IEC website (www.elections.org.za) under “Contact Us.”
Regarding safety measures, voters are no longer required to wear masks or face coverings within a voting station, although they may continue to do so at their discretion. Additionally, voters are no longer required to sanitize their hands upon entry to voting stations but may do so if they wish.
With the voter registration weekend set and by-elections scheduled, the Electoral Commission is ensuring that the democratic process remains accessible, allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote and contribute to their communities’ governance.
