Your last chance to register for the 2019 general elections
The President must call the election within 90 days from May 7
This is your last chance to register for the 2019 national general elections which the President must call within 90 days from May 7.
How do I register?
To vote in South Africa’s elections, you must register as a voter. You only have to register once, unless you move (within South Africa) or your voting district boundaries change.
Who can register?
You must be a South African citizen;
be at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18); and
and have a green, bar-coded ID book; smartcard ID; or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).
When and where can I register?
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 this Saturday and Sunday. Voting stations will be open 8am-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.
What documents do I need to apply for registration?
By law, you must apply in person (no online or email registrations are permitted). Please bring your:- green, bar-coded ID book;
smartcard ID; or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).
No other forms of ID can be accepted. Only original documents (no copies) are accepted.
What happens when I apply?
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 7 working days).
How do I know if or where I’m registered?
To check your registration details, you can:
Send an SMS with your ID number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS);
download the mobile app and enter your ID number;
check your registration details online;
check at your voting station during the final registration weekend on 26-27 January 2019;
or check at your local IEC office during office hours.
Please note: It can take up to 7 working days for your registration application to be processed.
Why do I have to re-register?
We continuously strive to provide a better voting experience for voters by ensuring accessibility to voting stations and trying to reduce long queues on Election Day. To help us achieve this, you need to re-register when:
your home address changes (if you’ve moved a short distance, please see Moved since you registered? to find out how to check if your voting district has changed), or
we inform you that your voting district boundaries have changed.
Check your voter registration details to find out if you may have to re-register.
Important: During municipal elections and by-elections, you must vote at the voting station where you are registered, so it is important to re-register whenever you move or your voting district boundaries change.
Still have questions? See FAQ: Voter registration for answers.
