During a progress report meeting, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has assured the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs that all systems are in place to hold a successful voter registration this weekend, 18–19 November 2023, around the country.
Following the meeting, the committee expressed its satisfaction that the IEC has covered all its bases and contingency measures are in place to respond to any eventuality. “We are confident that the IEC is ready to roll out a successful voter registration weekend and that their systems are in place,” the committee Chairperson, Mr Mosa Chabane, said.
“What is most important to us is that the voter management devices (VMDs) have been enhanced with new software, that staff members have been trained and that all materials that will be used during the weekend have been delivered. What is left is to ensure that South Africans take the opportunity and register on all available platforms including by physically going to voting stations to register,” he said.
The IEC informed the committee that the VMDs now operate on Android 11 and that in cases of poor or no connectivity due to loadshedding or other challenges the devices will operate in an offline mode. The devices search for connectivity for five seconds and if it is unable to connect due to low bandwidth it will store data for uploading later when there is connectivity.
The committee also welcomed information that discussions with major telecommunications providers are at an advanced stage to zero-rate online voter registration. “What is left is to resolve the technical aspect of the free online registration mode, because when you register it requires the location setting which require data access,” said Mr Masego Sheburi, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer: Electoral Operations at the IEC.
“The telecommunication providers were worried that this could be a pathway for people to use free data to access other internet-based sites. Our technicians are now working to have a functionality that will not require data and will ensure that South Africans, especially the youth, who want to register online can do so without a charge.” The committee hopes that these technical aspects will be resolved swiftly for the benefit of all South Africans.
With regards to training, the IEC said that 69 097 registration officers have been trained and that the remaining cohort will complete their training by 16 November. Fully trained registration officers will enhance the process and ensure that voters are not inconvenienced at voting stations. The committee also welcomed the information that the delivery of voter registration materials has been concluded across the country.
The committee also welcomed news that the Department of Home Affairs will open its offices on Saturdays to enable the collection of identity documents to ensure that voters have valid IDs to register. The DHA informed the committee that while there are about 500 000 uncollected IDs in their offices, this does not mean that people will not be able to register.
“There are cases where people still have a green-barcoded ID and they just applied for the smart card ID. This means that they will be able to register and don’t have to collect the ID now. But we encourage people to come and collect their IDs,” said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Home Affairs.
The committee encouraged all political formations to work with the IEC to encourage all South Africans to register to ensure they participate in the 2024 provincial and national elections.
Malatswa Molepo
15 November 2023
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