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There are nearly two million registered voters in Johannesburg, and the city and police services are ready for the polls.
IT'S election time again and street poles around the city are festooned in multi-coloured posters bearing party logos and slogans, each urging residents to vote.
On Wednesday, 22 April South Africans go to the polls for the fourth time since the country became a democracy. And this time there are 40 political parties on the ballot paper.
There are over 1,8 million registered voters in Johannesburg, with polling stations in every ward. Safety and security will be a priority.
The provincial superintendent of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Eugene Opperman, said: "The SAPS in conjunction with the metro police will be at each polling station making sure the voters are safe and that no disruptions take place."
Police patrols would be stepped up and necessary action would be taken against any person caught disrupting election proceedings.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission, each citizen who is registered to vote and who has a relevant South African identity document has the responsibility to vote, as it is crucial for citizens to contribute in a democratic country.
Voters may only vote at the polling stations at which they are registered. But there are provisions for those who are unable to get to their polling stations on voting day, with certain conditions, governed by the Electoral Act. More information on these conditions are available on the IEC website.
For a full list of all polling stations, visit the Voting Station Finder on the IEC website. Joburgers must also remember that stations might change according to the availability of venues.
Voters must take their identity books with them to the polling station; proof of registration is in the book. At the station, electoral staff will check your ID and your hands to see if you have ink on your fingers - this indicates whether you have already voted or not.
Your name will be crossed on the voters' roll and your left thumb will be marked with ink. You will get two ballot papers - for national and provincial elections - and then you can go to the booth to make your cross. Pop the ballot papers in the box and your duty is done.
Voting day - 22 April - is a national public holiday.
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