On Election Day, Bantu Holomisa, leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), encountered unexpected difficulties when he attempted to vote at Mthatha Town Hall.
Bantu Holomisa finally casts a vote after technical mixup
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Holomisa, who had voted at this same location during the 2021 local government elections and registered at the same station earlier this year, was informed by IEC officials that his name was not on the voters’ roll.
This caused frustration not only for him but also for other voters facing similar issues.
Despite the initial setback, Holomisa managed to cast his vote later in the day. He tweeted about his experience, saying:
“Just voted. In 2021 I voted in the Mthatha City Hall, today I was told to go vote in Mthatha General Hospital. Sadly others who are supposed to vote in the City Hall are also not appearing in the voter’s rolls. Let’s hope IEC will assist them soon.”
Holomisa, who is running for the position of provincial premier after previously standing as a presidential candidate, refrained from speaking to journalists about the mishap.
What to do if your name does not appear on the voter’s roll
Voters encountering similar issues where their names do not appear on the voters’ roll should take the following steps to ensure they can still cast their votes:
- Confirm Registration Details: Voters should first confirm their registration details with IEC officials by providing their ID. This can help verify if there has been any clerical error or oversight.
- Request a Section 24A Form: If the voter’s name is still not found on the roll, they can request a Section 24A form. This form allows a voter to cast a special vote at a station where they are not registered but within the same province.
- Contact the IEC: For further assistance, voters can contact the IEC’s toll-free call centre at 0800 11 8000. IEC officials can provide guidance on how to proceed and ensure that the voter’s rights are upheld.
- Check Registration Status Regularly: To avoid such issues, voters are advised to regularly check their registration status on the IEC website or via the IEC’s SMS service before Election Day. This helps to confirm that their details are up-to-date and correct.