How to become a registered voter?

Would you like to vote and have your say on how your municipality runs, find out how to become #ReadyToVote.

It is almost as important to understand what you are voting for as it is for you to vote. Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) CEO Mosotho Moepya stated that there will be 22 600 voting stations around the country with 50 000 electoral officials hired to serve voters. Moepya confirmed that the registration weekend will be on 5 and 6 March.

The background:

• Firstly, the municipal elections take place every five years. In these elections South African citizens elect Ward Councillors who will take on the municipal responsibilities for the dedicated ward. According to the IEC website, The Councillors will serve on the town, city, metropolitan or district councils and ensure that basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation are delivered.

• There are three kinds of municipalities: metropolitan (large cities), local (towns and rural areas) and district (the boss of local municipalities).

What you need to register as a voter:

• Be a South African citizen

• You need to be 18-years-old

• Have a green, bar-coded ID book, Smart ID or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).

Okay, so what happens next?

Application process:

• Visit your local IEC office

• Fill in an application form

• Your ID book is scanned

• A bar-coded sticker is pasted in your ID book

But hang on; this is just the step for the application of registration.

How do I know if I am registered? :

• Send an SMS with your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS)

• Download the IEC mobile app and enter your ID number

• Check your registration details online here

• Check at your voting station during a registration weekend or;

• Check at your local IEC office during office hours.

Please take note that IEC recommends that you check for your local IEC Office in February due to the ongoing process of demarcation which may change your usual local voting station or district.