(File photo: Emmanuel Croset/AFP)
With more than 3.2 million registered voters and hundreds of political parties vying for support, the Western Cape is already busy preparing for November’s local government elections.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced these figures on Friday during an information session to the standing committee on prime minister and constitutional matters.
According to the IEC, the Western Cape’s registered voters stand at 3 289 906. The commission also confirmed that a total of 526 political party registrations across different councils were recorded for the election.
The IEC says these figures reflect an active and extensive electoral landscape in the run-up to November’s voting day, with various role players already starting to prepare their campaigns.
Strict measures for credible election
The electoral commission emphasized during the presentation that “comprehensive measures have been introduced to protect the integrity of the election”.
“This includes that all election officials are properly trained, equipped and screened. The selection process also includes the involvement of the municipal political liaison committee, which consists of representatives of various political parties.”
The IEC has also confirmed that all votes will be counted and verified at one of the 1 623 polling stations across the Western Cape.
Changes to voting districts and wards
Meanwhile, voters are encouraged to check their registration details carefully, as only registered voters may vote in the correct voting district.
According to the IEC, several adjustments were made to voting district boundaries, while the number of wards in the province expanded from 406 to 416.
The commission warns that these changes may mean that some voters’ registration details are no longer correct, requiring timely verification.
DA appeals to residents to register
The DA in the Western Cape has urged residents to make sure that their registration is up to date and correct, especially in the run-up to the upcoming registration weekend on 21 and 22 June.
Thomas Walters, DA MP and the party’s spokesperson on prime minister and constitutional matters in the Western Cape, says the election plays a key role in local service delivery.
“Local government elections are of critical importance for the functioning of municipalities and ultimately for the quality of service delivery that communities receive.
“The IEC’s efforts to ensure a free and fair election are encouraging, but the real test is during the registration weekend and on voting day itself,” says Walters.
He further emphasized that voters must take responsibility to make sure they can cast their vote effectively.
“We encourage every resident to verify their registration details as you can only vote where you are correctly registered.
“With the changes to voting districts and the expansion of wards, it is more important than ever that people make sure they are registered in the right place.”
Walters says municipal service delivery differs noticeably between areas where the DA governs and those where other parties are in power.
“Where the DA governs, we see working municipalities that focus on accountability and service delivery. In many other parts of the province, however, we have seen municipalities deteriorate under poor management. This is why this election is so important – it is about the future of every community,” says Walters.
Voters can check their registration status on the IEC’s website or visit one of the polling stations during the registration weekend on 21 and 22 June.
According to the IEC, voters can check the location of polling stations online and are encouraged to check early that their registration details are correct.