Voter registration underway with 23k voting stations set up

The voter registration weekend is in full swing with 23 151 voting stations open for eligible voters to check their voting status. 

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will address the media on Saturday afternoon on progress in registrations but said in the week that 48 899 registration officials had been trained to undertake the registration procedures at the voting stations. 

"For the first time registration staff had to complete online training modules as well as a module on the practicalities of the registration process," said the IEC. 

This as the voters can now use digital platforms to register as voters - and by Thursday, 156 651 had successfully used the system to register.

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In addition,  new Voter Management Devices (VMDs) will be used for the first time on a mass scale during the registration weekend.

"The VMDs represent a departure from the erstwhile ‘Zip-Zip’ machines which have been in use in the registration process since 1998," said the IEC. 

"The VMDs will essentially operate in online mode in most parts of the country. 

"In parts of the country where internet connection is not strong or reliable, the VMDs have been provisioned to operate in offline mode."

The registration weekend - and the looming local government election - take place in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

However, the IEC says it is prepared for this. 

"The safety of voters and staff is a key priority of the Commission including over this weekend as well as other subsequent electoral events," it said. 

It said the following registration protocols will apply at all registration stations during the voter registration weekend:

• Face mask or cloth covering of the nose and mouth;
• Social distance with a minimum of 1.5 meters; and
• Sanitizing upon entry into the registration station.