Pretoria – The Independent Electoral Commission has announced that it will hold a final registration drive on 8 and 9 February.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Electoral Commission last week to review the outcome of the first voter registration weekend on 9 and 10 November.
“Encouraged by the continued interest in eligible voters who are not yet registered who have inundated the IEC call centre and social media platforms for information on further registration opportunities, along with the support of political parties and other stakeholders, the commission confirmed its plan to open all voting stations for registration on 8 and 9 February 2014,” said the IEC in a statement on Monday.
The commission said this would allow time for eligible voters who have not yet applied for ID documents to apply at their nearest Home Affairs office. It encouraged them to do so before the holiday season.
“The February registration weekend will be the final opportunity for new voters to register and for registered voters to change their voting station ahead of the 2014 national and provincial elections,” said the commission.
It said that it was anticipated that President Jacob Zuma will proclaim the election date shortly after the registration weekend, closing the voters’ roll in line with legislation.
There are currently 24 112 414 registered voters, which is 76.7% and the commission hopes to reach an 80% registration of eligible voters ahead of the election. – SAnews.gov.za
