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The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is confident that the Electoral Commission of South Africa is ready to roll out the first voter registration weekend on 18 and 19 November 2023. The committee today welcomed an update on the processes undertaken thus far and is confident that all systems are in place to ensure a successful process.
 
“The committee is confident that the IEC has systems in place and that all South Africans, either locally or abroad, will be able to register to vote in the provincial and national elections in 2024. Citizens must now take the opportunity to register and actively participate in this important democratic process,” said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee.
 
The most important aspect the committee noted is systems enhancements, which include the improved voter management devices (VMDs) that operate on Android 11. These devices also operate in an offline mode when there is poor or no connectivity.
 
The committee also welcomed the IEC’s assurances that processes for online registration for voters to register abroad have been finalised and are ready for deployment. To augment its functionality, the committee welcomes the information that enhancements will be progressively introduced for image recognition of passports and ID documents. Furthermore, three consecutive days have been planned for voter registration abroad in January 2024.
 
The committee also welcomes progress on discussions with telecommunications providers aimed at zero-ratting online voter registration to ensure that South Africans, especially the youth, who want to register online can do so without a charge. The committee urged the technical aspects of this intervention to be concluded to ensure that South Africans benefit from the initiative.
 
To ensure a seamless process, the committee also welcomed the guarantee that 69 097 registration officers have been trained and that the remaining cohort are undergoing training, which will be completed by Thursday, 16th November. Fully trained registration officers will enhance the process and ensure that voters are not inconvenienced at voting stations. The committee also welcomed the information that the delivery of voter registration materials has been concluded across the country.
 
Meanwhile, the committee has noted that the IEC’s visibility and outreach programme has been rolled out effectively, with adverts and posters visible across the country. The committee also welcomed the assurance that the IEC is using all platforms, including radio, TV, print and social media platforms to engage citizens and encourage them to register. The outreach within institutions of learning must continue to be rolled out to ensure that younger South Africans are also encouraged to participate.
 
The committee committed to join the IEC in mobilising voters, particularly the youth, to register using various platforms made available by the IEC. The committee further called on all political formations to encourage prospective voters to register and enhance South Africa’s democratic order. Voters can visit their voting station on 18 and 19 November to register between 08:00 and 17:00. “It is incumbent for every qualifying citizen to register and update their details to enable them to vote,” Mr Chabane emphasised.
 
The committee also welcomed the Department of Home Affairs’ intervention to open offices on Saturday to enable the collection of identity documents to ensure that voters have valid IDs to register.    

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane