In South Africa the voting and counting process at each voting station happens in the presence of observers and party agents from all contesting parties. The ballot boxes are opened in front of the observers and party agents who check that the counting is done correctly and fairly. Party agents sign the results slips at each voting station to verify that they are correct. These results slips are then posted on the door of the voting station and a copy is sent to the results centre – where once again observers, party representative and independent auditors once again verify the results against what was captured at the voting station. Only once all such verifications have taken place are the results reflected. Each step of the election process is carefully verified, checked and audited – from the counting and recording of votes to the scanning and capturing of results, culminating in the announcement of the final election results. Rest assured that the process is free and fair, and transparent, and that every single vote is counted and counts.
If you live in a metropolitan council area (e.g. Johannesburg), you will receive two ballots: 1 for the ward councillor and 1 for the proportional representation party list. If you live in a local municipality (e.g. Standerton municipality), you'll receive 3 ballots: 1 for the ward councillor for the Local Council; 1 for the proportional representation party list for the Local Council; and 1 for the proportional representation party list for the District Council.
The Electoral Commission is very protective of voter information and privacy and does not provide contact details for any voters to any political party or outside agency. However, we are required by law to publish the voters’ roll and to make these available to parties which are contesting elections. Only the names, ID numbers and addresses (where available) of registered voters are provided to parties and no contact details are included in the voters’ roll. We are aware that some parties use commercially available databases to obtain contact details for eligible voters. We suggest you raise any concerns you may have regarding unsolicited approaches with the party concerned.
It is the prerogative of the President to declare public holidays. Previously election days have been declared public holidays to allow as many voters to participate as possible and the Electoral Commission is hopeful the President will consider declaring 3 August 2016 a public holiday as well.
It is important that voters make clear marks when they vote to indicate their choice. Both the cross and a tick mark are allowed, and we advise voters to try and make these marks inside the box next to their party or candidate of choice when voting. This is not a rule by any means, though. What is required is that you, as the voter, must make your intention clear to the counting official.
Electoral laws prohibit party agents and candidates from wearing political party clothing or regalia inside a voting station on Election Day. But there is nothing stopping ordinary voters from wearing political party clothing or regalia.
In national elections you vote for members of Parliament and in provincial elections (held on the same day as national elections) you vote for members of the provincial legislature. In municipal elections you are voting for city or town councillors who will run your town council for the next five years.
The 2016 Municipal Elections will be held on Wednesday 3 August 2016.Voting takes place from 7am to 7pm.
By law the election results must be announced within seven days of the day on which the election took place. In municipal elections each ward and municipality is its own election so these results are announced as and when the counting and results processes have been finalised. The first results will probably be known within a few hours of the close of voting stations and the results for municipalities within a day or two of the election. Watch the media for information or follow the results here on the Official IEC Election app.
By law you are not allowed to take any photos inside the voting station or to share them on social media. The reason is to maintain the secrecy of your vote and the privacy of others. You can take selfies after you have voted.
The use of technology for elections is the subject of ongoing consideration by most election management bodies around the world – including here in South Africa. Unfortunately we are not yet in a position to provide online registration – but this is one of the things we are looking at for the future.