29 August 2005

Saturday 3 September is voter registration day for South Africa's 2005/06 municipal elections - the country's third local government elections since 1994.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged all eligible voters who have not previously registered, or who have changed their address, to register for the elections.

The commission has also urged all voters to check their registration status - by phone, SMS or internet - before Saturday.

The IEC has activated its 0800 11 8000 toll-free call centre number, with integrated voice response (IVR) technology, to assist the public with any queries on registration or voting.

The technology allows callers to check whether they are registered, and if not where they should register, without having to speak to a call centre operator. At the same time, the system allows callers to speak to an operator if they so wish.

Voters can also make use of the IEC's short message service (SMS) facility to check their voter registration details via cellphone. The user-friendly facility is available on all three networks, namely Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.

All a voter has to do is type in his or her identity number and send it to 32810 on any of the three networks in order to receive confirmation of registration.

Alternatively, voters can visit the IEC website any time on to check whether they are registered and, if not, where they should register.

The IEC wants to increase the participation of young South Africans in the elections, and also to increase the total number of registered voters by about 200 000.

The most important challenge the IEC has identified for the coming municipal elections has been to improve access to voting stations, especially for voters in rural areas and informal settlements.

All voting facilities and voting districts were re-evaluated after the previous local government elections, and the 2004 national elections.

The number of voting stations will be greatly increased this year, and some districts have been redrawn. There will be targeted registration drives in those areas that are affected.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

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IEC website Get the latest election or by-election news, past election results, information on political parties, election legislation and more. Search for your nearest municipal electoral officer Find out if (and where) you're registered to vote