Your guide to voting on 4 November

ELECTION NEWS - South Africans will head to the polls on Wednesday 4 November to elect their local government representatives. Whether you are voting for the first time or have participated in several elections, here is what you need to know before making your mark.

When can you vote?

Voting stations across the country will open at 07:00 and close at 21:00. Voters are encouraged to arrive early, although anyone already inside the voting station boundary or officially designated queue at closing time will still be allowed to vote.

Who can vote?

You must be a South African citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, and registered on the voters' roll.

Unlike national elections, municipal elections require voters to cast their ballots at the specific voting station where they are registered. You cannot simply visit another station because it is more convenient.

The voters' roll closed when the election date was officially proclaimed in August, meaning it is too late to register or change your voting district for this election.

What identification do you need?

Voters must present one of three accepted documents:

A green, barcoded South African ID book.
A South African smart ID card.
A valid temporary identity certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
Passports, driver's licences, photocopies and photographs of ID documents are not accepted. Bring your original document.

How do you check your registration?

The Electoral Commission (IEC) offers several ways to confirm your registration status and voting station.

Visit www.elections.org.za and enter your 13-digit ID number, or SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS), or use WhatsApp 060 088 0000.

You can also use the IEC's voter portal at registertovote.elections.org.za. Checking beforehand can save time and prevent unnecessary travelling on election day.

Before you leave home

Check your assigned voting station.
Take your original ID document.
Allow enough time for possible queues.
Make arrangements for transport if necessary.
Remember that you must vote at your registered station.

At the station, officials will verify your registration, mark your name off the voters' roll and issue your ballot papers. Follow their instructions and mark your choice clearly.

For assistance, contact the IEC on 0800 11 8000, use its WhatsApp service on 060 088 0000, or visit www.elections.org.za.

Garden Route District Municipality: 27 political parties

A total of 27 political parties are listed to contest the proportional representation (PR) seats on the Garden Route District Council in the local government elections on 4 November. The parties are listed alphabetically below.

Advieskantoor
Africa Restoration Alliance (ARA)
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP)
African National Congress (ANC)
African Transformation Movement (ATM)
Afrika Mayibuye Movement (AMM)
Build One South Africa (BOSA)
Cape Independence Party / Kaapse Onafhanklikheids Party (CIP)
Democratic Alliance (DA)
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
Eden United People's Party (EUPP)
Freedom Front Plus / Vryheidsfront Plus (FF+ / VF+)
GOOD (GOOD)
Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM)
Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA)
Independent Ratepayers Association of South Africa (IRASA)
Kannaland Independent Party (KIP)
Knysna Civic Alliance (KCA)
Knysna First
National Coloured Congress (NCC)
One Love Alliance (OLA)
Patriotic Alliance (PA)
People's Movement for Change (PMC)
Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI)
South African Communist Party (SACP)
Truth and Solidarity Movement (TSM)
uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party)