LO Life Skills Level 4 Module 13

Life Orientation: Life Skills NQF 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Describe the voting procedure Module 13 Downloaded from hlayiso.com *see terms and conditions

Think about it… • Does your one small vote matter? • What is the role of the IEC in elections? • What does ‘democracy’ really mean? Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Unit 13.1 The importance of voting in an election Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

What is voting? • Formal process to choose between two or more candidates to fill a position. • You can vote:  By a show of hands  On a ballot paper  Electronically. • The candidate with the most votes wins. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Different kinds of elections Refer to Table 13.1 in your Student’s Book for the characteristics of different kinds of elections. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

The importance of voting • Become informed. • Exercise your rights. • Exert a positive influence. Figure 13.2: The outcome of an election will affect your own circumstances in several ways Downloaded from hlayiso.com

The importance of voting • See the true state of the nation. • Make every vote count. • Voting is taking action. • Have a say in matters. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

The importance of voting • Support honest policymakers, hard workers & visionaries. • Keep a check on responsibilities. • Help shape the future. • Consider the alternatives. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 13.1 Module 13 Test your knowledge of this unit – and think about why voting matters to you – by completing Learning activity 13.1 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Unit 13.2 The voting & election process Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Who can vote in an election? Refer to Table 13.2 in your Student’s Book for more information about the characteristics of eligible voters. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Documents required to vote • Green bar-coded ID book or smart ID • Temporary Identification Certificate (TIC) if your ID has been lost, stolen or damaged. Figure 13.7: The green, bar-coded ID books are being phased out by smart ID cards, but you can use either to vote Downloaded from hlayiso.com

How do you register as a voter? • Normal votes:  Register in the voting district where you live most of the time  Need to be at least 16 years old to register (can only vote from age 18)  Check that you are on the voters’ roll. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

How do you register as a voter? • Special votes:  In some cases, registered voters can apply for special votes  For people who will be away on voting day  For people who are disabled, pregnant, elderly, or too ill to vote on election day. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Procedure at election stations • Queue at your voting station • Show your ID to the voting officer:  If your name isn’t on the voters’ roll, show proof of registration  If your name is on the roll, a line will be drawn through your name, your ID stamped & your thumbnail marked. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Procedure at election stations • You will be given ballot paper(s). • Go to a private ballot booth & mark one choice with an ‘x’. • Fold your ballot paper(s). • Place ballot(s) in the correct box(es). Downloaded from hlayiso.com

How the votes are used • Sealed ballot boxes are taken to counting stations • Ballot papers are unfolded & sorted, then counted, checked & bundled • Counting officer signs off numbers & takes election materials to nearest election office. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

How the votes are used • In SA, voters vote for a party not for an individual. • Each party is allocated seats in parliament proportional to the number of votes the party received. • National Assembly is formed & the president is chosen. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 13.2 Module 13 Test your knowledge of this unit by completing Learning activity 13.2 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Unit 13.3 The role of the IEC in elections Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

What is the IEC? • IEC = Independent Electoral Commission • Manages SA’s national, provincial & municipal elections • Financed by public funds, but is an independent body • Aims:  Excellent running of elections  Strengthening democracy  Cooperation with political parties. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

What is the role of the IEC? Section 190 (1) of the Constitution states that the IEC must: “(a) manage elections of national, provincial and municipal legislative bodies in accordance with national legislation; (b) ensure that those elections are free and fair; and (c) declare the results of those elections within a period that must be prescribed by national legislation and that is as short as reasonably possible.” Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Critical analysis of the IEC • Is media used well to communicate with voters? • Do people know what to expect from an election? • Do people know where to vote? • How does the IEC communicate with the media? Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Critical analysis of the IEC • Is the IEC open about its work? • Does the IEC make the voting process easier for voters? • How does the IEC handle complaints? Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 13.3 Module 13 Test your knowledge of this unit by completing Learning activity 13.3 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Unit 13.4 Good voter behaviour Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Good voter behaviour before the election • Check that you are registered. • Know where you are voting & how you’ll get there. • Research different candidates & what they stand for. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Good voter behaviour during the election • Respect those in authority. • Respect other voters & public property. • Do not intimidate. • Vote wisely. • Don’t spoil your ballot paper. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Good voter behaviour after the election • Report any irregularities. • Complete a form if you see:  Anyone being intimidated or bribed.  Anyone receiving too many ballot papers. • Don’t tamper with any voting boxes. • Don’t be a sore loser if your candidate doesn’t win. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 13.4 Module 13 Test your knowledge of this unit – and start preparing for your project – by completing Learning activity 13.4 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Summative assessment Portfolio task 5 Complete Portfolio task 5 in your Student’s Book. This is a formal assessment. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 4

Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation (Life Skills) NQF Level 4