To register you must be a South African citizen with a green barcoded ID book, smartcard ID or valid temporary ID.
You can register from the age of 16 years but can only legally vote once you are 18 years and older.
When registering you have to be present with your South African original ID at the voting station, no online registrations of any kind will be accepted.
When and where can I register?
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, you can register at the below places and times.
- Apply for registration at the voting station for your voting district on the final registration weekend for the 2019 National and Provincial Elections set for January 26 and 27, 2019. Voting stations will be open from 8am to 5pm both on the Saturday and Sunday.
- Make an appointment to apply for registration during office hours at the local IEC office responsible for your voting district. Please always phone first to make an appointment.
How does registration to vote work?
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, the process that will be followed when registering to vote is as follows:
Go to your local IEC office
Complete the registration form
Your identity document book is scanned
A barcoded sticker is pasted in your green ID book or on your valid temporary identity certificate. If you have a smartcard ID, the sticker will be pasted on a special form that will be given to you.
Please note that completing the form and receiving a barcoded sticker or receipt doesn’t mean that you’re registered, it only means that you’ve applied for registration. Your application must still be processed (may take up to seven working days).
Am I registered?
If you are wondering whether you are registered or not don’t fear here are a few ways to check your registration status:
- send an SMS with your ID number to 32810 (R1,00 per SMS)
- download our mobile app and enter your ID number
- check your registration details online
- check at your voting station during the final registration weekend on January 26 and 27, 2019
- or check at your local IEC office during office hours.
Please note: It can take up to seven working days for your registration application to be processed.
When do I have to re-register?
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, you need to re-register when you have moved since the last time you registered, or when the Electoral Commission of South Africa informs you that your voting district boundaries have changed.
Check your voter registration details to find out if you may have to re-register.
During municipal elections you must vote at the voting station where you are registered.
Visit the Electoral Commission of South Africa website for more info
