With the local government elections likely in November, the first registration drive will be held on 20 and 21 June. During the voter registration weekend, approximately 23,000 registration stations will be open.

The IEC revealed its new election logo and tagline at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Wednesday (1/4).

Delivering his opening remarks, IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo emphasised preparations for the polls are in full swing.

“We are in the process of finalising the recruiting and training of approximately 70,000 registration staff,” said Mamabolo. “This recruitment process has been carefully designed and codified in the electoral recruitment and selection criteria.

“These criteria were generated after consulting the political liaison committee at the national level. In essence, we are emphasising supervisory experience for key leadership roles in the voting stations, such as presiding and deputy presiding officers.”

The task at hand is to blend supervisory experience and youthful energy to bring about, hopefully, a joyful day of electoral festivity on the date yet to be proclaimed as election day, he added.

Every eligible South African will have the chance to register, update their information, and get ready to cast a ballot due to the opening of registration stations. Importantly, registration stations equalise access to the electoral process as registration weekends are settlement-neutral.

Registration stations provide equal access to the voting process. In other words, there will always be a registration station in every community, regardless of where you live.

While the cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister has yet to announce the date for the municipal elections, the IEC wants to be ready by November. The current term for all municipal councils is set to end on 2 November.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the logo and tagline were designed to attract the youth to vote. “The logo is new, fresh, and reflects renewal and a progressive direction in our electoral democratic journey.

“While the symbol may change, the values it represents do not. Our commitment to free and fair elections is perennial.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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