2019 General Elections: Registration FAQs

1. Why is registration taking place?

The Electoral Commission is on a national campaign to update the voters’ roll in preparation for the 2019 General Elections. All 22 613 voting stations around the country will open for the public between 08h00 and 17h00 on 10 and 11 March to:

help people who are 16 or older to register for the first time;
allow already registered voters, who have moved since they registered, to change their address details so that they are registered in their correct voting district; and
allow registered voters whose address details are not on the voters’ roll to provide this information.

2. Why is registration taking place so soon?

You might remember the Constitutional Court’s 2016 ruling which gave the Electoral Commission until June 2018 to fix missing address information for millions of voters. This registration weekend is primarily an attempt by the IEC to collect the bulk of the address information that it is missing.

3. What if I have moved since the last time I registered?

You may not be able to vote where you live if your address is missing or incorrect at the IEC. Check your address status at https://check.da.org.za and if it is missing or incorrect visit your local voting station on registration weekend, with your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card.

4. How do I check that my details are correct?

Check your address status at https://check.da.org.za and if it is missing or incorrect visit your local voting station on registration weekend, with your valid, green, bar- coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card.

5. Can South Africans living abroad register to vote in the 2019 General Elections yet?

Regrettably, South Africans abroad will not be able to register over the March registration weekend.

But you can apply for registration at your nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate-general (see www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm for locations and contact info) during their normal office hours

If you live abroad, please click here for answers to your questions.

6. When will the elections take place?

The final date for the 2019 General Elections has not been announced yet. In terms of the Constitution, the elections must be held between Feb 2019 and August 2019.

7. Who can register to vote?

In order to register to vote, you must be:

a South African citizen;
16 years of age or older (you can only vote if you are 18 or older on election day); and
in possession of a valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card.

8. What do I need in order to register to vote?

In order to register to vote, all you will need is your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card. You do not need any FICA-type documents.

If you live abroad you ALSO need your valid South African passport or temporary passport.

9. How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

You can check if you are registered to vote by visiting https://check.da.org.za.

10. How and when do I register to vote?

Register to vote on 10 and 11 March 2018 at your local voting station along with your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card. Voting stations will remain open from 08h00 – 17h00 on both days. It is possible to register at an IEC office but by far the best, and most efficient, way to register is at registration weekend on 10 and 11 March. You can locate an IEC office near you by visiting http://www.elections.org.za/content/About-Us/Contact/.

If you live abroad, you must apply for registration at your nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate-general (see www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm for locations and contact info) during their normal office hours.

11. Can I register to vote at my nearest voting station come registration weekend?

For the 2019 General Elections, voters must be registered at the correct voting station within their voting district. This is not necessarily the physically closest voting station to their home. To be sure of which voting station you need to be registered at, click here: https://check.da.org.za

12. How can I register to vote if I am unable to get to a voting station on registration weekend?

Take your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card and head down to your local IEC office on any day of the week (click here to locate:

http://www.elections.org.za/content/About-Us/Contact/).

If you live abroad, you must apply for registration at your nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate-general

(see www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm for locations and contact info) during their normal office hours.

13. Do I need to re-register for the 2019 General Elections?

You do not need to re-register for every election. You only need to change your address details if you have moved, or if your address is missing or incorrect at the IEC. Check your address status at https://check.da.org.za and if it is missing or incorrect visit your local voting station on registration weekend, with your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card.

14. Can I register for my family member/friend/partner?

No, each voter must register in person, with their valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card.

15. Can I register online?

First-time registration cannot be done online, and can only be done in person at a voting station on registration weekend or at an IEC office. You can change your address online, visit: https://www.elections.org.za/MyIEC/Account/Register.

16. Can I change my address online?

Yes, go to https://www.elections.org.za/MyIEC/Account/Register and follow the instructions.

17. Will I be able to vote online?

No, the IEC uses manual systems.

18. Can I register with my passport/driver’s license?

No, you can only register to vote with your valid, green, bar-coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card. No other forms of identification will be accepted.

However, if you are registering abroad, you will need both your valid, green, bar- coded ID book; temporary ID; or smart ID card AS WELL AS your valid South African passport or temporary passport.

19. Will Home Affairs be open on registration weekend?

Yes, it will be.

20. Where should I go to register to vote on 10 and 11 March 2018?

To check where you need to register, visit https://check.da.org.za.

If you live abroad, you must apply for registration at your nearest South African embassy, high commission or consulate-general

(see www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm for locations and contact info) during their normal office hours.

21. How long will voting stations be open for on 10 and 11 March 2018?

Voting stations will open at 08h00 and close at 17h00 on both days.

22. How many people do not have addresses on the IEC’s voters’ role?

About 2.8 million people still need to add their correct address to the voters’ roll. It is a very serious matter.

23. What if I live in an informal settlement or don’t have a formal address?

A description of where exactly you live is sufficient for meeting the legal prescriptions.