FAQs

Your voting district may have been affected by the Municipal Demarcation Boards' (MDB) re-drawing of some of the ward boundaries which the MDB has to carry out every five years.

Can the IEC send someone to my house to register me? Will the IEC send someone to my house on voting day?

You may contact your MEO office and request that a registration official visit your home to register you before the close of the voters' roll (Proclamation date). Yes, you can apply for a special vote if you fall into the category (see special votes) of people that is allowed special votes.

Who can register?

South African citizens who are 16 years or older (you can only vote when you turn 18) and have a green bar-coded identity document or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate.

What documents do I need to register as a voter?

Your green bar-coded South African ID or your Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) only. The TIC must be valid. Check the date and when.

When do I register?

Registration is on-going at Municipal Electoral Offices (MEO) during office hours and at voting stations on special registration weekends up until the close of the voters' roll until proclamation. For NPE elections 2009.

Why can’t I register and vote anywhere because I don’t know where I am going to be on election day?

The Electoral Act states that you must register in the Voting District where you are ordinarily resident. For NPE elections 2009, you will be able to vote wtih a section 24A form at any of the approximately 20 000 voting stations in the country as long as you have registered. If you are out of your province that you have registered, you will only receive a national ballot and not a provincial ballot. Verify your details on the Voters' Roll.

How many registration points are there going to be?

Approximately 20 000 voting stations will be used for voter registration and for voting.

Am I registered?

You can call the IEC toll-free on 0800 11 8000 from landline or check for yourself on the IEC's website under `Am I registered'. Type in your identity number and it will inform you whether you are registered to vote and the details of your voting station. You can also SMS your ID number to 32810.

What proof do I get that I have registered?

A receipt is pasted on your ID book or on your TIC. Make sure that you get your receipt as this is the only proof that will be accepted should your name not appear on the voters' roll at the voting station. Also make sure that the receipt you have is for the VD that you have registered in.

What happens to my details after I register?

Once you have applied for registration, make sure that you have your sticker for the right voting district (VD). Your details will then be checked against the National Population Register to verify your particulars with DHA. Once it is confirmed you are: 1) A SA citizen (2) of voting age, your name will be added to the segment of the voters' roll for the voting district in which you applied to register as a voter.

I have registered previously but am moving. What should I do?

You need to re register in your new voting district. Check with the IEC for your new voting station details.

There is a station just round the corner but I was told to go to one several blocks away.

You can only register at the voting station in your correct voting district.

Can I register on behalf of somebody else?

No. The law regarding registration states that you have to register in person by presenting yourself and your green bar-coded SA ID document or your Temporary Identity Certificate to apply for registration as a voter. Nobody else can register you even representatives from a political party cannot register you.

Where will I vote?

You vote at the voting station serving the voting district where you are registered to vote. You can check the details of your voting station by going to `Am I registered' on the IEC website, or by calling 0800 11 8000 toll-free from landline.

Will there be another registration weekend?

The registration weekend is on 8-9 November 2008.

There maybe another reg weekend next year but it has not been confirmed. Watch the media for details.

My voting sticker was stuck on the sleeve of my ID book, not on page two. Can I still vote?

Yes. It doesn't matter where your sticker is pasted as long as you do have a sticker and you appear on the correct segment of the voters' roll.

I still have my Temporary Registration Certificate. Can I register with it?

You cannot use a Temporary Registration Certificate to register. Only green bar-coded ID or a Valid TIC. TRCs are not longer used to register voters.

Why can't I register? I am still waiting for my ID?

You must please make sure that you collect your ID from the place you applied or apply for a TIC that will allow you to reg and vote so that you are able to register and vote. You can contact the Department of Home Affairs on their toll-free number 0800 60 11 90.

Do I need a photo for registration?

No. You will register with your green bar-coded SA ID or TIC which does have your photo.

I have my old (Blue, TBVC) ID document. Can I register with it?

No. For the purposes of registration, only green bar-coded SA ID books and Temporary Identity Certificates are valid. If you have not voted since 1994 you will need to register with your new green bar-coded ID or TIC before the voters' roll closes for the 2009 elections.

Can permanent residents register and vote in the elections?

No. Only South African citizens in possession of a green bar-coded SA ID or a valid TIC.

My relative has passed away and still appears on the voters’ roll? How can I get his/her name off?

The person's name will be listed under the `rejected' section of the voters' roll once the IEC has checked all applications for voter registration against the National Population Register which is maintained by the Dept of Home Affairs.

I registered but my name does not appear on the voters' roll. What should I do?

You are encouraged to re reregister again before the close of the voters' roll for NPE.

I registered for previous elections, do I have to register again?

No. Only if you have changed your address/personal details/or if your voting district has changed, you are required to re-register. Verify your details by

Will I have the opportunity to change my registration details after the voters' roll closes?

No. Once the voters' roll closes (on date of proclamation of the election date), you cannot change/update your details for the 2009 elections. Your details will be updated for any elections taking place after that.

I have registered and want to know if I appear on the voters' roll?

On the IEC's website go to `Am I registered' and type in your identity number. Or you can call the IEC toll-free on 0800 11 8000 from a landline. Or you can send your identity number via a text message (SMS) using a mobile cellular telephone to 32810. (R1 per sms)

I applied for registration, but did not get the sticker. What must I do ?

You need to contact your Municipal Electoral Office (MEO) during office hours before the close of the voters' roll for NPE.

Where and how can I change my details on the voters' roll?

You can go to the Municipal Electoral Office during office hours or you can go to your voting station during special registration weekends between 8am and 5pm until proclamation or watch media for details

I registered at X primary school but on the voters' roll, my details appear under a voting station I have never heard of. What will be done about this and where should I vote?

The station you went to previously might not be available any longer or might have changed. If your name appears on the voters' roll in the correct voting district. If your address has changed, you will have to re-register either at your Municipal Electoral Office during office hours or at your voting station on registration days on 8-9 November 2008.

My ID book is in my maiden name but my married name appears on the voters' roll? Do I need to re-register?

No. We use the ID number. The IEC checks your details against the National Population Register (NPR). We get your name that is reflected on the NPR (The Department of Home Affairs-DHA) automatically changes your name when you get married) and that is the entry that appears on the Voters' Roll. You should apply to the DHA for a new ID reflecting your married name should you so wish.

I am bedridden/in hospital and need to register, what do I do?

Contact the Municipal Electoral Officer during office hours in your municipality and request to be visited by a registration official before the close of the voters' roll.

I am blind/deaf. Who will help me at the voting station to register?

Registration officials are available to assist you should you request them to do so or you can bring someone.

How can I appeal against the decision not to allow me to register?

You can appeal a decision (eg if you were rejected and you are a SA citizen, if not deceased, if you are listed as underage) by going to the Muncipal Electoral Office (MEO)/Provincial Electoral Office (PEO) and or National Office (NO) and serve a notice of appeal. You will need to provide the following details: 1) name 2) details of decision 3) full reasons for appealing against the decision 4) particulars of any document that was submitted with your notice of appeal ie set of fingerprints; proof of citizenship

How do I go about making objections to the voters' roll? Where and how can I change my details on the voters' roll?

You need to go to the Municipal Electoral Office office during office hours and tell the Municipal Electoral Office you would like to lodge an objection. S/he will assist you with the process.

Will I be able to appeal after closure of the voters' roll?

No. Once the voters' roll closes you will not be able to appeal any decision.

How may I appeal/object? To what are you appealinng

You can contact the offices of your Municipal Electoral Officer during office hours and request information about the appeals and objections process.

"Where do I write to the IEC to object?"

Contact the MEO and ask him/her to assist you. Or you can write to the IEC: Election House, Room 242, OBJECTIONS, 260 Walker St, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0001. Fax: 012-428 -5711 or 341-5292 or Postal address is P O Box 7943, Pretoria, 0001

When do objections to the voters roll close?

On the day that the date of the election is proclaimed in the governmnet gazette.

When will I know whether my objection has been accepted?

The final decision on objections will be made by the Electoral Commission within 14 days of you lodging an appeal/objection.

When can I make objections to the voters roll?

You can object at the offices of your Municipal Electoral Office during office hours. The voters' roll is available for inspection up to the date of proclamation. It is only then the voters' roll closes for that particular election.

I couldn't apply for an ID as I have no birth certificate and my right to vote has now been denied me.

You need to go to the Department of Home Affairs for assistance. The Dept of Home Affairs tollfree number is 0800 60 11 90. The IEC is unfortunately not in a position to do anything in this regard.

I have applied for my new ID but it has not arrived and I can't get through to Home Affairs?

You have to go to the Department of Home Affairs office where you applied for and check when your ID will be ready. You can also call them on 0800 60 11 90.

When are elections going to take place?

Election day is on Wednesday 1 March 2006.

Will election day be a holiday?

The Cabinet will decide whether election day is a public holiday. The IEC does not make this decision.

I voted in 2006 election, why do I have to vote again?

In 2006 you voted for the Local Government (municipal) elelctions, you will now be voting for National and Provincial elections.

Can I buy/get a copy of the voters' roll?

Section 91 of the Electoral Act makes it unlawful for the voter' roll to be used for any purpose other than for an election.

Will anything happen to me if I don't register/vote?

No. Registration and voting is not compulsory in SA.

Can I get Mr/Ms/Mrs X address/details from the voters' roll?

No. The IEC does not give a particulars from the voters' roll.

Until when will I have to re-register/update my details for 2009 election

You have until the closure of the Voter' Roll - Once the Minister of President proclaims (not announces) the election date, the voter's roll will close for any further updates/changes to it for NPE.