By Kaya 959 Reporter
The Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has confirmed that it’s all systems go for voter registration weekend. More than 23, 000 registration stations will be opened countrywide on Saturday and Sunday.
The commission said the stations will be manned by over 48, 000 officials, who are all trained to undertake the registration process.
“For the first time registration staff had to complete online training modules as well as a module on the practicalities of the registration process. The online modules related to theoretical concepts associated with the constitutional role of the Electoral Commission as well as the voter registration processes,” the Commission said.
Officials added that the new Voter Management Devices (VMDs) will also be used for the first time on a mass scale during this registration weekend.
“The VMDs represent a departure from the erstwhile ‘Zip-Zip’ machines which have been in use in the registration process since 1998.”
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Online mode
The commission said 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.
“In offline mode, devices will be able to record transactions and perform verification based on data stored locally on each device. As soon as the VMD gets into an area of signal it will automatically and without prompting upload the transactions stored to the memory of the device.”
These machines will allow for an almost instantaneous citizenship verification as well as the correct capturing of a residential address assisted by a mapping functionality.
In order to register, voters need to bring an identity document which may be a Smart Card, green barcoded book or a Temporary Identification Certificate.
The Commission said it is essential that a voter indicates an address or a description of a place where they live. Proof of address is not a requirement for purposes of registration.
Voters who are registered can confirm their registration online on the website, on the IEC APP and by calling the contact centre at 0800 11 8000 (calls are free of charge from a landline and standard mobile network rates apply).
Furthermore, an identity number can be sent to 32810 via the Short Message System (SMS).
Get ready to vote in #LGE2021 on 1 Nov. Register at your voting station on 18/19 Sept, 8am-5pm. Voting Station Finder at https://t.co/7KdzxQ3Upp. Bring your SA ID & mask up. Or register by proclamation on 20 Sept at https://t.co/WorsxgXJOo. #EveryVoiceTogether pic.twitter.com/1SiQdegRUs
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) September 12, 2021
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