Frequently Asked Questions
(Source: Independent Electoral Commission)
FAQ: Voter registration
Who can register?
In order to register, you must:
be a South African citizen;
be at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18); and
have a green, bar-coded ID book, ID smartcard or Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).
When to register
Q: Can I register at any time before the election?
A: No, you must have applied for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date (proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February).
Q: Can I still register if I didn't register at my voting station during the registration weekend?
A: Yes, a second and final registration weekend will take place on 8 and 9 February 2014 when you can register at your voting station between 8am and 5pm. If you're unable to register during the registration weekend, you can make an appointment to register during office hours at the Municipal Electoral Officeresponsible for the voting district in which you live. You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
Q: Can I re-register after the voters' roll closes?
A: No, once the voters' roll closes (at 5pm on the day that the election date is proclaimed), you can't change/update your details for that election. You will have to wait until after the election.
Q: Will there be another registration weekend?
A: A second and final registration weekend has been confirmed for 8 and 9 February 2014 when you can register at your voting station between 8am and 5pm. You can also register by appointment at your Municipal Electoral Office(not national or provincial offices). You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
Where to register
Q: Can I register at my nearest voting station?
A: No, you must register at the voting station in your voting district, and this might not be the one closest to your home. To find out where your correct voting station is, please use the online voting station finderor call 0800 11 8000. Registration at voting stations is only possible during a registration weekend. A second and final registration weekend has been confirmed for 8 and 9 February 2014 when you can register at your voting station between 8am and 5pm. If you're unable to register during the registration weekend, you can make an appointment to register during office hours at the Municipal Electoral Officeresponsible for the voting district in which you live. You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
Q: Where do I register if I can't register at my voting station during the registration weekend?
A: You can make an appointment to register during office hours at the Municipal Electoral Officeresponsible for the voting district in which you live. You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
Q: Why can't I register online?
A: The legislation doesn't allow for online registration or voting. You have to apply for registration and vote in person with valid ID.
Q: I can't get to my municipal electoral office / voting station to register because I'm in hospital/disabled/elderly. How can I register?
A: If you are unable to travel, you can contact your municipal electoral office regarding special registration at your location. You must register by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date (expected to be early next year).
Q: I'm currently living in (Place A), but I'll be living in (Place B) next year. Where do I register?
You need to register where you will be living most of the time during the 2014 elections. You can make an appointment to register during office hours at the Municipal Electoral Officeresponsible for your new voting district. You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
My registration status
Q: How do I know if I'm registered?
A: Please check your voter registration details online to find out if you're registered. You can also SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1), or call us on 0800 11 8000.
Q: I have just registered, but your system says I'm not registered. Why?
A: You have applied for registration, but we still have to process your application and that can take approximately 7 days. Please wait at least 7 days before you check your registration status.
Q: It's been more than a week since I applied for registration, but your system still says I'm not registered. What do I do now?
A: Please email your ID number and contact info to us at webmaster@elections.org.za.
Q: I don't have a receipt sticker in my ID book. Does that mean I'm not registered?
A: No, the sticker is only proof that you applied for registration. The sticker has no bearing on whether or not you're actually registered.
How to register
Q: How do I register?
A: Please see How do I register?for details.
Registering abroad
Q: Can I register abroad?
A: Yes, the Electoral Amendment Act 2013 giving all South African citizens the right to register and vote abroad in national elections has been passed. For details of how, when and where to register abroad, please go to www.elections.org.za/content/For-Voters/How-to-register-and-vote-abroad/ for details.
Q: When can I register abroad?
A: You can register during the embassy, high commission or consulate's normal working hours, or during the special registration weekends of 18/19 January and 25/26 January (please phone for opening hours). The final day for applying for registration is 7 February 2014.
Q: Where can I register abroad?
A: You can apply for registration at your nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate (see www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm for locations and contact info) during their normal office hours.
Q: What documentation do I need to take with me in order to apply?
A: You need to take both your green, bar-coded South African ID book; smartcard ID; or valid Temporary Identity Certificate, AND your valid South African passport. Both documents must be valid, and no other identity documents can be accepted.
Voting/registration age
Q: I am 17 years old now, but will turn 18 around the time when the elections will be held. Will I be able to vote?
A: You must be registered and 18 or older on the day that the election date is proclaimed (announced by the President and gazetted) to be able to vote.
Q: I will be younger than 18 years old on Election Day - should I still register?
A: Yes, you can register as soon as you have your green, bar-coded South African ID book. As soon as there's an election when you'll be at least 18 years old on Election Day, we'll add you to the voters' roll so that you can vote.
ID requirements
Q: I can't apply for an ID because I don't have a birth certificate, so my right to vote is being denied me. What can I do?
A: You have to go to the Department of Home Affairs or call them on 0800 601 190 to see how they can help you. Unfortunately we can't help you with this issue. You must have a green, bar-coded South African ID book, smartcard ID, or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) to register as a voter, and to vote.
Q: I have my old blue/TBVC ID, drivers' licence or passport. Can I register with it?
A: No, for the purposes of voter registration, only an original green, bar-coded SA ID book; smartcard ID or valid Temporary Identity Certificates can be accepted. Please apply for your ID book at Home Affairs or contact them on 0800 601 190.
Q: My ID book is in my maiden name but my married name appears on the voters' roll. Do I need to re-register?
A: No. We use your ID number and check it against the National Population Register (NPR). We get your name as it's reflected on the NPR (the Department of Home Affairs automatically changes your name when you get married), and that is the name that appears on the Voters' Roll. You can apply to Home Affairs for a new ID reflecting your married name if you want to.
Q: What do I need to bring with me when I register as a voter?
A: You only need a green, bar-coded South African ID book, smartcard ID, or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC). We can't accept a passport, driver's license, certified copy of ID or any other forms of ID. Please contact Home Affairs on 0800 601 190 with any ID-related questions.
When to re-register
Q: I have registered, but have moved to a new home. Must I register again?
A: Yes, you need to register again if you've moved, or your voting district boundaries have changed since you registered. You can register at your new voting station on 8 or 9 February between 8am and 5pm, or you can make an appointment to register at your Municipal Electoral Office. To find out where your correct voting station is, please use the online voting station finderor call 0800 11 8000. You must apply for registration by 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the election date. Proclamation can take place at any time after 9 February.
Q: I registered for a previous election, do I have to register again?
A: No, you only have to re-register if your address or voting district has changed. Please check your voter registration detailsonline, SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1.00) or call us on 0800 11 8000 (open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Proof of registration
Q: What proof do I get that I have registered?
A: A receipt is pasted in your ID book. If your name isn't on the voters' roll on election day and you don't have your registration sticker, you have no proof that you applied for registration and you won't be able to vote. However, the sticker doesn't necessarily mean that you are registered, only that you applied for registration. If, when we process your application, we find that you aren't eligible to vote (for example, if you're not a citizen), you will be added to the rejected portion of the voters' roll. To make sure that your application was successful, please wait 7 days after applying for registration and then check your registration detailsonline, SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1.00), or call 0800 11 8000 (open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
At the voting station
Q: Are posters of political parties allowed in registration stations?
A: No, people are not allowed to place party posters in registration or voting stations.
Q: Can people wear party colours in the registration station?
A: IEC staff may not wear any political party colours. One registered party agent is allowed inside each registration station, and they may wear their party colours during registration weekends, but they may not canvass inside the station. Members of the public can wear anything.
Q: Are political parties allowed to canvas for membership outside a registration station?
A: Parties have the right to canvass for voters outside the voting station during registration weekends, but voters have the right to refuse to give their details. It is not a requirement for registration to provide your details to any political party at the station.
Q: Are parties allowed to have a table and canvass inside the voting station?
A: No, only one party agent per party is allowed inside the voting station during registration weekends, and they may not canvass.
COMPLAINTS
If you have a complaint at a voting station, please inform the Registration Supervisor on duty at the voting station. You can also contact your Municipal Electoral Office.