Elections | Western Cape Government

Elections

Changing your details on the Voters' Roll

(Service)
The voters' roll must be as accurate and inclusive as possible and voters' details must be correct. This means that the voters' roll needs to be continually updated. New voters need to be added onto the Roll. This would include anyone who reaches the age of 16, anyone who becomes a South African citizen and any South African citizens who haven't registered before. Voters need to update their information, for example if you've changed your address, or if you've changed your surname because you got married.

Checking whether you are registered on the Voters' Roll

(Service)
Before you can vote in an election, you need to be registered on the voter's roll. The Roll contains the details of individual voters and is an important planning tool. For example, it allows the IEC to know how many people are likely to vote in each area so that they can ensure that there are sufficient voting stations. The Voters' Roll is also an important way of preventing electoral fraud. There are around 3,111,815 voters registered in the Western Cape

Election Regulations (under the Electoral Act, 73 of 1998)

(Act)
No. R.478 of 1999
These regulations deal with voting stations, special votes, declaration votes, tendered ballots, mobile voting stations and procedures, counting of votes, and party agents and candidates.

Electoral Act, 73 of 1998

(Act)
(File type: pdf; size: 133.2 KB)No. 73 of 1998
This law regulates elections of the National Assembly, the provincial legislatures and municipal councils.

Electoral Commission Act, 51 of 1996

(Act)
No. 51 of 1996
This Act provides for the establishment and composition of an Electoral Commission to manage elections for national, provincial and local legislative bodies. It also makes provision for the establishment, composition, powers, duties and functions of an Electoral Court.

Having Your Say: A Handbook for Ward Committees

(Guidelines, Manuals and Instructions)
(File type: pdf; size: 403.62 KB)Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This handbook provides handy hints, practical ideas and guidance for running ward committees. It provides councillors and ward committee members with a series of steps to take when working in their ward committees.

Independent Electoral Commission Website

(Link)
This site contains information on the IEC as well as information on elections, including details on the voters' roll, relevant legislation, information on political parties and election results. There is also an online library of relevant documents.

Local Government: Cross-boundary Municipalities Act, 29 of 2000

(Act)
(File type: pdf; size: 95.72 KB)No. 29 of 2000
This Act gives effect to section 155(6A) of the Constitution by authorizing the provincial executives affected to establish cross-boundary municipalities.

Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 27 of 1998

(Act)
(File type: pdf; size: 449.05 KB)No. 27 of 1998
This Act provides for criteria and procedures for determining municipal boundaries by an independent authority.

Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 27 of 2000

(Act)
(File type: pdf; size: 858.41 KB)No. 27 of 2000
This Act regulates the municipal elections

Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998

(Act)
No. 117 of 1998
This Act provides for the establishment of municipalities and defines the various types and categories of municipality. It also regulates the internal systems, structures and office-bearers of municipalities and provides for appropriate electoral systems

Making Ward Committees Function: Ward Committee Resource Book

(Guidelines, Manuals and Instructions)
(File type: pdf; size: 561.21 KB)Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (National) (The Government of South Africa)
This resource book aims to provide practical guidance on how to establish and make ward committees functional, efficient and effective. It can be used as an easy reference by municipal councillors and officials, local government practitioners and ward committee members.

Municipal Election Results, 2000

(Public Information)
This online report provides detailed information on the Municipal Election in 2000. This includes the election results, voter turnout, spoilt votes, seat allocation, leading party by completed municipality, leading party by ward and individual party support.

Municipal Electoral Regulations (under the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000)

(Regulation)
(File type: msword; size: 76.5 KB)No. R.848 of 2000
These municipal election regulations deal with the voters' roll, ward candidates, voting stations, officers, agents and observers and voting and counting.

Provincial Parliament of the Western Cape Website

(Link)
On this site there is information on the provincial parliament, its composition and processes. Provincial legislation and other publications, such as a visitor's guide, are also available. Detailed information on the parliamentary schedule and committee timetables are also available.

Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act, 1997

(Act)
(File type: pdf; size: 87.48 KB)No. 103 of 1997

Registering on the Voters' Roll

(Service)
Before you can vote in a National or Municipal elections, you need to be registered on the voter's roll. The Roll contains the details of individual voters and is an important planning tool. For example, it allows the IEC to know how many people are likely to vote in each area  so that they can ensure that there are sufficient voting stations. The voters' roll is also an important way of preventing electoral fraud.

Regulations - Accreditation of Observers

(Regulation)
No. R.362 of 1999
These regulations deal with the accreditation of observers. There is also a code of conduct for observers.

Regulations - Submission of Lists of Candidates

(Regulation)
No. R.363 of 1999
These regulations deal with listing candidates, the deposit and fees that need to be paid and objecting to nominated candidates.

Regulations Concerning Registration of Voters

(Regulation)
No. R.1340 of 1998
These regulations deal with registration on the voters' roll, changing details on the roll, objecting to the roll and other related matters.

Regulations on Party Liaison Committees (under the Electoral Commission Act, 1996)

(Act)
No. R.824 of 1998
The Electoral Commission is required to liase and co-operate with political parties. These regulations set up liaison committees to facilitate this.

Regulations on the Accreditation of Voter Education Providers and Code for Accredited Voter Education Providers

(Regulation)
No. R.1488 of 1998
These regulations deal with applying to be registered as an accredited voter education provider. They also conclude a code for accredited voter education providers

Regulations on the Conditions of Service, Remuneration, Allowances and Other Benefits of The Chief Electoral Officer and Other Administration Staff (under the Electoral Commission Act, 1996)

(Regulation)
(File type: msword; size: 51.5 KB)1 October 2000
These regulations set out the payment and benefits for staff members of the IEC.

Voting in Municipal Elections and By-elections

(Service)
Municipal Elections The last municipal elections were held on 3 August 2016 . These elections determine who'll represent voters on local and district municipalities. 63.46% of registered voters in the the Western Cape went to the vote. By-elections By-elections take place within 90 days after the resignation or death of a councillor, or whenever a political party exercises its right to change its representation in a council. The Electoral Commission is responsible for the management of all by-elections.

Voting in the National and Provincial Elections

(Service)
The National and Provincial elections take place every 5 years. The outcome of the election determines which political party will govern the country and how many seats each party will have in Parliament. Similarly, these elections also determine which of the political parties will govern each of the 9 provinces.