Voting Abroad: Frequently Asked Questions

We receive a lot of emails from South Africans living abroad asking if they can vote in national elections, what they need to do to vote and how they can vote, amongst many other question, so we've put together this basic guide based on our knowledge and experience during the 2009 national elections.

Generally we recommend that if you have any specific questions you check out the IEC website (www.elections.org.za), but if you're still unable to find the answer you're welcome to email us at contact@da-abroad.org and we'll do our best to help you out.

Section 19 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) uholds that all South Africans living abroad are able to vote in national elections, South African living abroad can currently only vote at South African embassies, consulates and high commissions. And in order to vote you must have previously registered in South Africa and have a valid ID book with you at the time of voting.

The Democratic Alliance have recently submitted a legislative proposal to amend current electoral legislation. If accepted and enacted, the resulting amendments will:

• allow voters living outside of South Africa to register to vote where they live
• increase access to voting for South Africans living abroad
• allow South Africans abroad to exercise their vote in provincial as well as in national elections.

Frequently Asked Questions 

REGISTRATION

Why do I have to register?

In order to vote your name must appear on the Voter’s Roll. The Voter’s Roll contains particulars of voters and it is an important tool to protect against electoral fraud e.g. to ensure that individuals only vote once.

What do I need to register?

You must:

• be a South African citizen;
• be at least 16 years old; and
• have a valid current green, bar-coded South African ID book.

Can I register to vote while abroad?

Unfortunately not. Registration for citizens abroad is not currently available as this can only be done in South Africa at the local Municipal Electoral Office at certain times prior to an election.

When can I register?

You can register at any time, however to be able to vote in a specific election, you must register before the election date is proclaimed (published in the Government Gazette) by the President. The Voters’ Roll for a specific election closes at 5pm on the day of proclamation. Contact your local Municipal Electoral Office for details in advance.

Where can I register?

Register during announced registration weekends at your voting station (in the voting district where you live). You can also register at your local Municipal Electoral Office during office hours. You need to register in person and bring your valid current green, bar-coded South African ID book OR Valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) if you don’t have an ID book.

How do I find out if I'm already registered?

By Internet

Visit the following page on the IEC website and submit your ID Number: https://www.elections.org.za/content/Pages/AmIRegistered/AmIRegistered.aspx?id=617&name=For%20Voters&LeftMenuId=95&BreadCrumbId=214

By SMS

For your registration status and voting station details, you can also SMS your ID Number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS sent or received) – this function is only available if you are in the Republic of South Africa therefore we strongly suggest that you visit the above website.

VOTING ABROAD

What is the current voting abroad process?

Special voting is allowed for those who cannot vote at a voting station where they are registered including those South African citizens temporarily absent from the Republic for the purposes of a holiday, business trip, educational visit or participation in an international sporting event. However, only South Africans abroad who have previously registered in South Africa to vote are allowed to cast their vote in a general election at the main South African Diplomatic Post of the country they reside in provided that:

• they have previously registered in South Africa to vote;
• they inform the IEC of their intention to vote by completing the relevant form and sending it to the IEC before the closing date*;
• they present the voting confirmation received from the IEC together with their current valid South African ID book when attending the Embassy to vote

What can I do now?

If you are not already registered please ensure to register with your local Municipal Electoral Office (MEO) when next in South Africa as overseas registration to vote is not available yet. We strongly urge you to contact your local MEO prior to your trip to confirm their opening times and the dates that you will be able to register to vote. As you will need your original South African ID book to be able to vote please ensure to bring your ID along with you when you plan to travel abroad for extended periods during election years. You will not be able to vote with your passport. Your ID book is mandatory to be able to vote locally or internationally.

If you have any further questions or require information please email contact@da-abroad.org It is the democratic right and duty of each South African citizen to vote - please ensure that you register and vote in the next election to keep our democracy alive.

* We would like to stress that in the 2009 National Elections the form required to inform the IEC of your intention to vote abroad was the VEC 10, and this can be found on the IEC website at the link below. We, however, cannot guarantee that this will be the process for future elections, and would like to advise that you contact the IEC closer to the time of elections to confirm the necessary notification requirements: http://www.elections.org.za/content/I_am_looking_for.aspx?id=253 (accessed 13 February 2012)