- Local government elections are next Wednesday, and this guide walks you through what happens at the voting station.
- Each voter has three votes, marked on three different coloured ballot papers.
- Made a mistake, or at the wrong voting station? The guide explains what to do.
As residents prepare to cast their votes in next Wednesday’s local government elections, here is a guide to the voting process and what to expect at the polling station.
How to cast your vote
Go to the voting station where you are registered.
Present your ID card or temporary identification certificate to the voting officer.
The officer will check that your name appears on the voters’ roll.
Once your identity and registration are verified, and it is confirmed that you have not already voted, your name will be marked off the roll, and the nail of your thumb will be inked.
The officer will stamp the back of the three official ballot papers and hand them to you.
Proceed to an empty voting booth and mark each ballot paper. Fold the papers so that your choices are not visible, then place each one in the appropriate ballot box.
Each voter has three votes: one to elect a ward councillor to the local council, one to elect a political party to the local council through the proportional representation (PR) ballot, and one to elect a political party to the district council.
The three ballot papers WARD BALLOT (White)
Vote for a ward councillor.
Mark ONE block only, next to the candidate of your choice.
PR BALLOT (Green)
Vote for a political party to be represented on the local council.
Mark ONE block only, next to the party of your choice.
DISTRICT BALLOT (Yellow)
Vote for a political party to be represented on the district council.
Mark ONE block only, next to the party of your choice.
You may object at the voting station if you are given too many ballot papers, refused a ballot paper, or have a complaint about the conduct of a voting officer, party agent or anyone else present.
Incorrectly marked ballots
If you make a mistake on a ballot paper and realise it before placing it in the ballot box, ask the presiding officer for a replacement. Ensure that the incorrectly marked ballot paper is marked as cancelled.
Once a ballot paper is in the ballot box, it cannot be retrieved.
Voters with physical disabilities or visual impairments
If you have a physical disability or visual impairment, you may choose someone to assist you at the voting station.
The presiding officer can also assist you when casting your vote. An observer and, where available, two party agents representing different parties must be present during the process.
At the wrong voting station?
If you arrive at a voting station and you are unsure whether it is the correct one, check with election officials before joining the queue. They can advise you whether you are at the correct station and guide you if you are not.
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