iec

While South Africans await confirmation of the date for the 2016 local election, the Department of Home Affairs has urged citizens to make sure they have the correct identity documentation needed to vote, as well as to remember to register in their wards this weekend.

Vuma Glenton Mashinini would take the helm at the Independent Electoral Commission, The Presidency announced this week, taking over from Terry Tselane, who served as the acting chairperson since 2014. Mashinini has previously served as deputy chief electoral officer of the IEC.

The Independent Electoral Commission will announce the final results of South Africa's general elections at 6pm on Saturday. With just over 18-million votes counted by 3.30pm on Friday, voter turnout in Wednesday's election stood at 73.4%.

South African election volunteers take their passion for democracy and their party-of-choice manifestos to the people, helping political promises reflect on-the-ground community needs, and building on voter education.

Applications for special votes in South Africa's 7 May national and provincial elections can be made at local offices of the Independent Electoral Commission between 9am and 5pm from Monday 7 April through 17 April, the IEC said this week.

Chief Electoral Officer Mosotho Moepya has certified South Africa's voters' roll, setting the stage for 25.3-million voters - representing 80% of eligible voters - to cast their ballots in the country's national and provincial elections on 7 May.

South Africa registered another 1.2-million voters on the final voter registration weekend ahead of the country's general elections on 7 May, growing the voters' roll to a record 25.3-million, or 80.5 percent of eligible voters.

A statutory body established in terms of the Electoral Commission Act to promote and safeguard democracy in South Africa.

South Africa's national and provincial elections - the fifth general elections since the country attained democracy in 1994 - will take place on Wednesday, 7 May, President Jacob Zuma announced on Friday. "These are historic elections, as they take place during the 20th anniversary of our freedom from apartheid bondage," he said.

In 2014 South Africa will not only celebrate 20 years of freedom, it will also hold the country's fifth national democratic elections. Play Your Part by registering to vote on 8 or 9 February at your nearest IEC voting station.