Northern Cape revote: Who can vote at Bongani Community Hall

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced the date of the revote in the Siyancuma Local Municipality in the Northern Cape following the storming of the counting centre and destruction of over one hundred 100 cast but uncounted ballot papers.  

The Commission ordered the revote at Bongani Community Hall Voting District in Siyancuma in terms of Section 10 of the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act 2000 (Act), which authorises a revote where ballot papers are lost, destroyed or unlawfully removed before counting is completed.

The revote is intended to give the affected community a fair and equal opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.

What are the arrangements?

According to the IEC, the following arrangements have been made ahead of the revote: 

• Special vote applications will open from November 10 to 14. Voters registered in the affected voting district may apply to cast a special vote. Eligible voters can submit their applications through the following channels: Online: Visit the commission’s website at www.elections.org.za and complete the secure special vote application form. SMS: Send your identity number to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS. This option is available only for applications to vote at a voting station. IEC local offices: Visit your local IEC office and submit a completed MEC 35 special vote application form. Forms must be hand-delivered; email submission is not accepted. Another person may deliver the completed form on the applicant’s behalf.
• Special voting at voting stations and through home visits: Tuesday, November 17, from 8am to 5pm. Approved voters will vote at the Bongani Community Hall voting station or through an approved home visit.
• Revote: The revote will take place on Wednesday, November 18, from 7am to 9pm. All registered voters on the affected voting district’s roll will vote at the Bongani Community Hall voting station. 

Who can vote?

The revote is open to all registered voters on the voters’ roll for the affected Bongani Community Hall voting district in Ward 3 of the Siyancuma Local Municipality. It does not extend to all voters in the municipality or the other voting districts in that ward.

Communication campaign

The IEC said a targeted communication campaign is underway to ensure all eligible voters are informed of the revote arrangements and timetable. It said it will deploy municipal outreach officers to engage directly with the affected community and provide information on the revote arrangements. 

Call to action

The IEC urges all registered voters in the affected voting districts to take note of the revote timetable, apply for special voters where eligible, and make use of the opportunity to cast their ballots on November 18.

The IEC Contact Centre is available to assist voters on weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Voters can call 0800 11 8000 for assistance. 

[email protected]

IOL