Your Vote is Your Right & Your Responsibility

Your vote is your right and your responsibility. It is up to all of us to ensure that we make our voices heard through the ballot box.

 

Your vote gives you a voice in government: allowing you to choose leaders who you feel will represent your values and speak for you when making decisions on the country.

 

None of us can afford to waste our opportunity to vote. If we are complacent and think “my vote doesn’t matter”, we risk being left with leaders who do not represent us or our values.

 

If you don’t vote, you cannot complain about the outcome! Yes, our right to vote has been hard won – and it is a right that none of us should take for granted. Your chance to shape our nation is coming on 7 December 2016 at the polls.

Please don’t believe that your vote does not matter. Your voice MUST be heard, your vote must be recorded.

Talk to your friends and family today – make sure they are ready to vote, and understand the vital importance of the role of the vote. Read more here about the voting process – ensure that you understand the requirements so that you are not disappointed at the polling station.

Here is a reminder of what you need to know:

Vote the way you want to vote!

First thing to know is that your vote is secret. No one can coerce you to vote for them or against anyone else. The ballot paper can’t to linked to you. Also, you do not have to tell anyone whom you voted for even if they say they are an official pollster.

Nobody is allowed to electioneer within 500 metres of the polling station

Election day is Wednesday 7th December 2016

Polling starts at 07:00 and finishes promptly at 17:00. If you arrive after this time you will not be allowed to vote

To find your nearest polling station visit the EC website or go to http://http://officialndc.com.dedi153.jnb3.host-h.net/polling-station/ where you will find a list of polling stations by region.

You must go to the polling station where you registered to vote

Take with you your voter ID card it makes things easier when you get there

If you have lost it, or it is damaged, you will need to explain to the presiding officer or their assistant when you get to the polling station and they will take you through a process of electronic identification

You will be checked off against the register to see that you have not already voted and to make sure you don’t vote again – a mark will be made on you, usually your fingernail, to show easily that you have voted

You will be given a ballot paper with the stamp of the EC on it and it will show you the pictures and party emblem of the candidates for President

You will be given a ballot paper with the stamp of the EC on it and it will show you the pictures and party emblem of the candidates for Parliamentary Representative

You will place your thumb print next to the person you wish to vote for on each ballot paper– do not mark anywhere else or put your name on the paper or add any other marks otherwise your vote will not count

In view of the presiding officer you will fold the paper up and place it in the right ballot box and are free to leave. They do not have to see who you have voted for. There are two ballot boxes one for Presidential and one for Parliamentary – ensure your vote goes in the correct ballot box

You do not have to speak to anyone except the presiding officer and their assistants and you do not have to talk to anyone outside the polling station about your vote

That completes your vote

Important things to remember:

Plan your day

Where is your polling station?

What time will you vote? Early is better, even if there is a queue, it means you can get on with your day.

How are you going to get to the polling station? Do you need to organize transport?

Do you need to arrange for time off from the office or someone to look after the children?

Make sure you have everything with you that you need – your Voter ID Card and any other form of identification

Take some water with you in case there is a queue

Be prepared for a queue and be patient

Your vote is valuable so don’t waste it by delaying or not being planned. Don’t forget the polls close at 17:00 and if you are late you will not be able to cast your vote.