Facebook has announced that it will remind South Africans to register to vote in 2016 municipal election.<\/p>\n
People over the age of 18 who log on to Facebook after noon on 9 April will see a message at the top of their news feed which reminds them to register to vote.<\/p>\n
Clicking the link in the message will direct you to the Electoral Commission website, which will give information about how to register to vote.<\/p>\n
You will also be able to share with your friends that you have registered.<\/p>\n
The message will be rolled out over a 24-hour period from Saturday morning to encourage people to register ahead of the elections in August.<\/p>\n
Facebook said that past studies have found that voters who see more of their Facebook friends talking about voting are more likely to vote themselves.<\/p>\n
It added that rolling out the Voter Registration button is a small way that it is helping to encourage people to take part in the democratic process.<\/p>\n
\u201cVoter turnout is an important issue around the world and in South Africa, especially among younger people,\u201d said Ebele Okobi, the head of public policy for Africa at Facebook.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Voter Registration button will make it easy for voters to share that they are taking part in the election and act as a reminder to others to take part.\u201d<\/p>\n
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