Step 1: Make sure you’re registered to vote – To vote in the SA elections you must be a registered voter. If you are already registered to vote, you don’t have to re-register. You can check your registration status here: www.elections.org.za/content/For-voters/My-voter-registration-details
If you aren’t registered, you will need to visit your nearest South African embassy, high commission, or consulate; and bring both a green, bar-coded South African ID book, smartcard ID or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) AND your valid South African passport. Once the Special Registration Officer has verified that you’re eligible to apply, you will complete a registration form and will then be given a Proof of Registration Application form. This is not proof of registration, but only that you applied. You can confirm your registration status online at www.elections.org.za/content/For-voters/My-voter-registration-details 7 working days after applying.
Do this during normal working hours but remember you only have until 7 February 2014. You can also register during the special registration weekends of 18/19 January and 25/26 January. If you are travelling back to SA at any point you can also register to vote at a municipal electoral office in South Africa. You can find a local municipal electoral office on the IEC website at www.elections.org.za/content/About-Us/Contact
If you are planning to register in South Africa, you must register before the election date is proclaimed by President Jacob Zuma (The Voters’ Roll for a specific election closes at 5pm on the day of proclamation).
Step 2: Notify the IEC of your intention to vote abroad – If you intend to vote abroad, it doesn’t matter where in SA you are registered to vote, because when the President announces the date of the election South Africans abroad will have 15 days to submit a VEC10 form to the IEC notifying them of their intention to vote abroad. This form has not yet been made available but we will keep you informed as soon as it does.
Step 3: Make sure you have the necessary paperwork to vote – You will only be able to vote at your nearest South African Embassy. To see a map of these polling stations from 2009, visit www.votehome.org/how-and-where-to-vote.
You can only vote with your valid green, bar-coded South African ID book, ID smartcard or Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) AND your valid South African passport
For the latest info on overseas voting please check out the DA’s VOTE HOME campaign at www.votehome.org. And please spread the word. Your vote is important and it does count. Vote for your country. Vote for South Africa.
