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.

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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, barcoded South African identity document (ID), smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary identity certificate (TIC).

To Register within South Africa

When and where can I register?

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.

Register to vote using our Online Voter Registration Service until the date of proclamation of the election. You can use our Voter Information Portal site to register to vote or update your current voter information, view your current address, request a special vote, find a voting location, view important election dates (upcoming election in your ward).

What documents do I need to apply for registration?

Whether you are registering online or in person, you must provide your South African ID, either:

• Green, barcoded ID book, or
• Smartcard ID, or
• Valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC).

No other forms of identification are accepted. Only original documents from the Department of Home Affairs are accepted.

Where can a person register to vote?

a)Online: registertovote.elections.org.za

b)At the voting station during national registration events.

c)IEC Local Office (during office hours).

d)During Targeted Communication and Registration (TCR) drive.

e)During Civic and Democracy Education (CDE) events.

When does a person update their registration details?

A voter will be required to update their registration details if:

a)the voter has changed their place of residence, i.e. has a new address;

b)the voter has an incomplete or no address;

c)a voter has been issued with a new ID number which is different from the old one;

d)the Municipal Demarcation Board has changed ward boundaries;

e)the Electoral Commission has changed the voting district boundaries;

How does a person check his/her voter registration status?

Voters may use the following facilities to check their registration status:

i.WEBSITE  www.elections.org.za

ii.ii. SMS ID number to 32810

iii.Toll-free phone call from a landline to the call centre (0800 11 8000) – only available during specific periods announced by the Commission

iv.Online application on smart phone/laptop/iPad at  https://registertovote.elections.org.za

v.IEC WhatsApp Chatbot (060 088 0000) – redirects to the website

vi.Download our mobile app and enter your ID number

vii.vii. Voting Station [Registration Weekend]

How do I register out-of country?

Everything you need to know about registering as a voter abroad.

South African citizens who wish to vote in South Africa’s next National Election must be registered to vote before proclamation of the election by the President of the Republic.

Why should you register and vote if you live abroad? Because each and every citizen has the right to vote in South Africa’s elections, and the responsibility to participate in making decisions for its future. It’s your democracy, own it!

Who can register to vote abroad?

To be eligible to register to vote if you live abroad, you must:

• Be a South African citizen;
• Be at least 16 years of age (you must be at least 18 to vote);
• Have a South African identity document (ID) – either a green barcoded ID book OR ID smartcard OR a valid temporary ID certificate.

Remember: By law, South Africans abroad can only vote in South Africa’s national elections; they cannot vote in the provincial elections, regional elections for National Assembly, or municipal elections.

How to register to vote abroad?

Registering to vote abroad can be done in one of two ways:

1. Register online anytime, anywhere via the Voter Registration Portal (until proclamation of the election). The portal accommodates both first-time voters abroad, as well as South Africans who have previously registered and voted in South African elections, and who now wish to vote from abroad.
2. Register in person at your nearest South African mission during the mission office hours until proclamation of election date. Click here for a full list of South Africa’s missions accredited as international voting stations.

Get ready to register to vote

1. Check your current registration status at Voter Registration Portal.
2. Get your identity document (ID) ready. Eligible voters abroad are required to have a South African ID (a green barcoded ID book, ID smartcard, or valid temporary ID certificate) to register online. If you don’t have an Identity Document, please apply at your nearest South African mission as soon as possible.