Zille urges people to register to vote
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille reminds people they can only vote if they took the trouble to register.
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Helen Zille says it is the responsibility of all who want to participate in the national elections to register to vote.
Zille along with several provincial government officials visited the voting registration points in Philippi and Mfuleni on Saturday.
Zille told Heinz Park residents their vote was their power.
"So many people come to me on voting day and say they want to vote but where can they register. I tell them I'm sorry it's too late now. You can only vote if you took the trouble to register."
More than 100 new voters registered in Heinz Park on Saturday alone.
Residents say they want better services and the only way to do this is to vote.
IEC
Meanwhile, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials in the Western Cape said they were very pleased with the first day of the voter registration weekend.
They experienced problems at registration points in Khayelitsha and Philippi on Saturday, but they were quickly resolved.
There are more than 1,500 IEC stations across the province.
The IEC's Courtney Sampson says, "I think our staff has done exceptionally well. People have really gone out of their way to make sure they get to the voting stations. I think it's been a good day for all of us."
