Where and how do I register to vote? Many South African citizens has the same question. The 2024 election is the one of the most important things for South Africans, because they can decide the future and development of South Africa. In this article, you will know where you can register to vote, and check if you are eligible to register to vote in South Africa.
Election day 2024
In South Africa, Election Day 2024 is a significant day for all citizens, as they will choose their national and provincial representatives on the election. General election was held in South Africa on May 29 2024. On Election Day 2024, there are a few key things you should pay attention to:
- Voting hours: Voting hours will be from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the election day. You need to vote the during voting hours. It is highly recommended that you should arrive there early to avoid missing the election.
- Obtain the assistance: If it is your first time to vote and you don’t know how to process the voting, you can ask for help from the election officials at the voting station.
- Security measures: On the election place, you will see so many security personnel at the voting station. They are to ensure a safe and peaceful voting environment, so you don’t need to be afraid.
- Get Results Announcement: After you have finished voting, the voting results will be counted and announced by the IEC. You can stay tuned to official channels to get the updated messages.
Who can register to vote?
Only some certain people can regiser to vote South Africa. Registration rules are very strict. If you want to register to vote, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must be at least 16 years old. (You can vote only if you are over 18.)
- You must have a green South African identity document (ID), such as smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).
When & where can I register to vote?
After you have met the requirements, you can register to vote during the opening time before the 2024 Elecction day. According to the rules, you can register to vote by using our Online Voter Registration Service and Voter Information Portal before the election announcement date.Or you can register to vote in person at the registration station.
How to register to vote
There are two different ways available to register to vote, such as online and in person. Before you register to vote, you must prepare the necessary documents. No matter how you register to vote via online or in person, you must provide one of the following South African ID documents:
- Green, barcode ID book
- Smartcard ID
- Valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC)
🔎Read Also: SA Lost ID Card Online Application
You must make sure that you show all the original documents or the digital forms of them. No other forms of identification are accepted. After you have prepared your documents, you can follow the steps below and register to vote in person.
- You can go to your local IEC office during the open time.
- You need to complete the registration form provided by the officers.
- Then you need to submit your form and the original ID card.
- After they have checked the information, a barcode sticker will be shown in your green ID book or on your valid Temporary Identity Certificate.
- They will process your application after you have submitted all the documents. The process will cost you about 7 working days.
- You need to check if your application for registration to vote goes through after the processing time.
In addition, you can register to vote online via our Online Voter Registration Service before the date of the proclamation of the election.
- You need to visit the registration porta on your browser.
- You need to click the “Register to vote in-country” and enter your information, such as the ID number, name and mobile phone.
- Then you can enter the one-time pin (OTP) obtained from your cellphone number.
- You need to choose your address by typing your address and select from the list.
- You should review your information in the voter registration summary to make sure that your information are correct.
- Take a picture of your ID document and submit the scan of your SA ID and click on continue.
- Then you can submit the voter registration application.
- Wait for the IEC officers to verify the application.
You can use our Voter Information Portal site to register to vote or update your current voter information, view your current address, request a special vote, find a voting location, view important election dates (upcoming election in your ward).
How to check if you are registered to vote
After you have submitted your registration application, you should check whether you are registered to vote after 7 working days. Your application may be rejected because of the wrong information. To avoid missing the Election, there are several ways to check if you aresuccessfully registered to vote.
Online IEC check
You can use the IEC online platform where you can easily check your voter registration status with simple steps.
- You need to visit the IEC website on your browser.
- Click the “Check Your Registration Status” link on the page.
- Enter your South African ID number.
- You will see the registration details, such as the registered voting station and voting time.
SMS service
You can choose the SMS service to obtain the registration status.
- On your SMS, you need to type your South African ID number and send it to 32810.
- A few minutes later, you will receive an SMS with your registration information, such as the status and details of your registered voting station.
IEC Contact Centre
You can also contact the IEC directly to check your registration status. Here you can follow the steps below:
- You can call the IEC contact centre on 0800 11 8000.
- Then you are required to offer your ID number..
- After checking, they will show you the registration status and the voting stations.
IEC Mobile App
Or you can choose the IEC mobile app to track your online registration application.
- On the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you can download the “IEC South Africa” app.
- Launch the app and enter your South African ID number
- It will show your registration status.
How to update your voter registration details
If you find that there are some incorrect information on your voter registration, such as change of name and number, you need to update your voter registration as soon as possible to avoid missing the Election. You must visit the local IEC office with your South African ID and tell them that you need to recorrect the registration details.
FAQ
Can I vote if I have lost my ID?
Yes, you can still vote if you lose your ID. By law, if you are registered but have lost your ID with the sticker, you can apply for a Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) that you can use to vote on Election Day. Here you must follow the steps below to obtain a TIC:
- You need to visit the Department of Home Affairs before Election Day so you can get the certificate in time.
- You are then required to check your registration details to verify that your name appears on the voters’ roll.
- If your name is not on the ballot, you must re-register to vote to ensure that you are registered and your details are up to date.
Can I change my voting station?
Yes, if you have moved to a new location, you can change your registered voting station during registration weekends. Or you can visit your local IEC office to change the voting station. Sometimes, voting stations may change due to the availability of venues, so you can use the online voting station finder to find out where your voting station is.
How do I vote if I live abroad?
Every citizen has the right to vote in South Africa’s elections and to participate in decisions about their future. If South African citizens live abroad, they can only vote in South Africa’s national elections. (not provincial, regional, or municipal elections). In addition, you must be registered to vote before South Africa’s National Election Day.
If you wish to register to vote abroad, you must meet certain requirements:
- You must be a South African citizen over the age of 16.
- Have a South African identity document (ID), such as a green barcode ID book, ID smartcard or a valid temporary ID certificate.
You can register to vote abroad online through the Voter Registration Portal or in person at the nearest South African mission. You must bring your identity documents and check the current registration status at the Voter Registration Portal until the election is declared.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is very important for South Africans to vote in the 2024 elections which offers a crucial opportunity to have their voices heard and contribute to the country’s future. On Election Day, you must prepare your ID card and know where to vote and exercise your rights and duties as a South African citizen. Make sure you can vote smoothly and have your voice heard.