South Africa

First time voters have expressed excitement and high hopes for the future after making their mark in the 2021 Local Government Elections.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning about possible strong winds in the Western Cape and Northern Cape that may destruct the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) tents.

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has called on registered voters to exercise tolerance while casting their votes during today’s fifth municipal elections.

At least 80% of voters who had applied for special votes cast their ballot at their voting stations over the weekend.

This is according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) chairperson, Glen Mashinini, who was briefing the media on the eve of the Local Government Elections, due to be held on Monday.

Mashinini said the commission expects to have visited all those who applied for home voting by the end of Sunday, which will add to the to the high turnout at the polling stations during the special voting process.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says citizens have the power to make local government stronger through their vote.

Parliament has urged all eligible and registered South Africans to honour those who fought for the right to vote by participating in the Local Government Elections on Monday.

The Gauteng Health Department will set up at least 94 pop-up vaccination sites near voting stations in the province on the day of the Local Government Elections on Monday.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has instructed the South African Police Service to make sure that they defend the right of every South African to cast their vote the Local Government Elections which will be held on Monday.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it is satisfied with the first day of special voting in the country, despite reports of protests at some voting stations and other challenges.

Tomorrow our young democracy reaches another milestone, one that will usher in our country’s fifth term of local governance. Incidentally, this was the same date South Africa held its first local government elections for the interim local governments in 1995. We cast our votes in honour of our compatriots who fought to secure equal rights, including the right to vote. Some of them paid the ultimate price.