Yebo Yes! Overseas voter registration details for South Africans have been announced!
Woza South Africans, woza! The IEC have announced the official dates and the details for overseas voter registration. This is it! Time to tata your ID and passport to your nearest SA embassy, high commission, or consulate during their normal working hours until 7 February 2014 and get registered.
You can also register during the special registration weekends of 18/19 January and 25/26 January (please phone for opening hours). No registration applications can be accepted after 7 February 2014.
This year’s election will be the most defining election since 1994. Now, more than ever before, we need all of you to show your love for our beautiful country by ensuring that you are registered to vote in the 2014 General Election.
HOW TO REGISTER
To vote in elections in South Africa you must be a registered voter. If you are already registered to vote in South Africa, you don’t have to re-register. You can check your registration status here.
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 7 working days after applying. If you register abroad you cannot vote in South Africa, as your registration only applies to overseas voting.
If you are travelling back to South Africa at any point you can also register to vote at a local municipal electoral office. If you intend to register to vote in South Africa, you must register before 5pm on the day that the election date is proclaimed by the President.
Do contact your local Municipal Electoral Office prior to your trip to confirm their opening times and the dates that you will be able to register to vote.
HOW TO VOTE
So, once you’re registered to vote, you will still need to submit a VEC10 form to the IEC within 15 days of the President announcing the date of the election. This form is not yet available, but when it is, it will be a simple online form that will inform the IEC where you intend to vote abroad (so don’t worry if you’re registered to vote in Potchefstroom or Mthatha).
Finally, in order to vote you will need to head to your nearest SA embassy, high commission, or consulate on election day with BOTH a green, bar-coded South African ID book, smartcard ID or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) AND your valid South African passport. It’s gonna be amazing! And it’s gonna count!
For the latest info on voting abroad in the 2014 elections please visit www.votehome.org or check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Please also help spread the word and forward this email to all your family and friends abroad. If you’ve got any questions drop us an email at info@votehome.org.
