IEC responds to address issue, denies political interference
The Independent Electoral Commission is advising and encouraging those who experienced problems with their addresses and those who weren't able to register to vote this weekend to visit their local IEC office to add their details to the voters' roll.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Simon Mamabolo has been speaking to Newswatch after the second and final voter registration weekend wrapped up yesterday.
"The office of the municipal electoral officer which are situated within most municipal buildings will remain open for registration until the dates on which the elections are legally proclaimed," he said.
He says prior to the ConCourt ruling in November requiring addresses, all that was required to register was that people lived in the relevant voting district.
The Constitutional Court found that the elections in 2013 in Tlokwe in the North West had not been free and fair after independent candidates cried foul over voters being brought in to vote in areas where they did not live.
Mamabolo says up until now, the IEC had not been retaining the addresses of all voters.
"So it is possible that a person may have been registered in a particular [Voting District] for a long time, the person may have voted there for a long time and we do not have that address.
"It is only following the court decision in November last year that the address became an imperative for which the commission is now committed," Mamabolo said.
Newswatch has been inundated with e-mails from concerned voters after they experienced problems this weekend.
One woman wrote:
"I saw details about the missing addresses on Facebook. I sent my ID to confirm we are registered and we are, but afterwards I got an sms to say both my and my husband's address is missing. Please could you let me know what we have to do to fix it now?".
Another wrote:
"After always voting at a voting district in Sydenham for many years, I decided to check via sms to see if I was registered to vote. I received a reply in the week from the IEC stating that they do not have my address and I need to come in and register and confirm the address. Unfortunately, I could not find my ID so I took my drivers licence and new passport (as I do not have a Smart card yet). I also took my proof of residence. When I arrived, they confirmed that my name is on the voters roll but there was suddenly no address next to my name. It was blank!"
Another voter from lower Houghton in Johannesburg wrote:
"I too was surprised to discover my address was missing on the voters' roll when I have been living and voting in my area for over 20 years. When I went to upgrade my details, I saw that my husband's details were Intact but my son's were missing. This is worrying!"
Some shared their experiences on social media, expressing frustration and anger over their missing details and the mixed messages some said they were receiving from the IEC.
An unimpressed Richards Bay resident wrote:
" 13 years at the same address and now suddenly no address. It makes me sick to the core because no one can be trusted anymore. Everything is a battle, even to vote is now a battle. I do not believe that voting in August will be truthful or fair or even correct."
Another said:
"Mtunzini is also a mess. My husband had the correct address, but my daughter and I had an address from 18 years ago but we all changed it at that time. Not sure of how this happens in this digital age!"
Some of the affected voters have suggested on social media the address issue has been experienced mostly in areas where the ANC does not have a lot of support.
Mamabolo has denied the claims that the missing and incorrect addresses are as a result of political meddling.
"It is not for the Commission to determine which voter votes for which party and then to manipulate the voters' roll in that way. Our duty is to ensure that we provide the country with a credible electoral process which is free and fair in terms of Constitution," Mamabolo added.
Last week, President Jacob Zuma announced that the 2016 Local Government Elections will take place on 3 August.
Local Government Minister, Des Van Rooyen is expected to proclaim the date, but until then those who still need to register or check that their details are correct can visit their local IEC office during office hours.
You can find your nearest IEC office here by selecting the province you live.