As the final leg of the registration process draws to a close, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) prepares for the 2016 municipal elections, which is scheduled to take place in August. Provincial electoral officer for the Electoral Commission of South Africa (Western Cape) and head of the IEC in the province, Courtney Sampson, explained that the final figures are yet to be confirmed, and an analysis is scheduled to be conducted over the next few days.
He further noted that the IEC approached the Constitutional Court in order to gain clarity on issues relating to voters who do not have an official place of residency.
“What happens if you sleep on the stoop of Truworths tonight and, when we look for you, you are sleeping under the bridge – does it mean that you cannot be on the voter’s role?” Sampson asserted.
The IEC, in an attempt to register as many voters as possible, have requested voters to explain where their current place of residence.
Sampson further explained that within the Western Cape numerous issues were cited at voting stations in parts of Khayelitsha. He noted that on Saturday numerous voting stations were temporarily closed. Whilst on Sunday all voting stations were active.
Within Mossel Bay and Drakenstein, various service delivery protests occurred, which hindered the registration process.
“This was a method that community members could use to have their voices heard,” Sampson noted.
The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will publish the date, 3 August 2016, in the Government Gazzete, after which the voter’s role closes. The official closure of registration is, therefore, uncertain.
“At the end of the day, if there are people that would like to register, we may be able to assist them – but we do not know when the promulgation of the date is set to take place,” Sampson concluded.
VOC
WhatsApp us 
1 comment
On Saturday 24 December 2016, the inspirational ’Ibaad-u-Ragmaan Qadiri Jamaa’ah will scatter adhkar afar by commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad at Masjid-us Saabiereen in Mossel Street, Mossel Bay.
The Milad al-Nabi Celebrations will further honour the lofty status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and express joy at his birth (May the Peace and Blessings of God be upon him).
Events will involve the formal Islamic prayer, the completion of an entire reading of the Glorious Qur’an and the Qadiriyyah dhikrullah.
One and all are welcome to attend.
Buses will depart from Kensington and Rylands Estate.
Food and drink will be provided to the large crowd that is anticipated.
To learn more about this occasion, please call Goolam Hoosain Mohidien of Tolbos Crescent, Mossel Bay 6500, at telephone (044) 693-4495, or at cellular telephone number 0824549444.
For further information on the Mossel Bay mosque Milad al-Nabi observances, kindly speak to Aadil Muhammad Alexander of Kameeldoring Avenue, Hartenbos, Mossel Bay 6500, at cellular telephone number 0760821770.
Anyone who wants to find out more about this event is asked to reach Hajja Fatima Brenner of 5 Mossel Street, D’Almeida, Mossel Bay 6500, at telephone number (044) 693-0105.
A contact person is Haji Suleiman Petersen of Grunte Street, Mossel Bay 6500 at cellular telephone number 0786304862.
Interested people may speak to Haji Mogamat Faiz Isaacs of 48 Tennyson Street, Mandalay 7785; home telephone number (021) 387-2737, or at cellular telephone number 0799153206.
For bus tickets to the Mossel Bay mosque, please call Haji Bienjamien Abrahams at home telephone number (021) 593-6585, or at cellular telephone 0827728381. He lives at 10 6th Street, Kensington 7405.