Hurry up and grab your chance to register as a voter

Millions of South Africans will head to the polls later this year to cast their vote in the general elections.

Time is running out for new voters to register and for existing voters to inspect, and if necessary, update their registration details.

This weekend, February 3 and 4, the country’s 23 296 voting stations will open from 08:00 to 17:00 for the final voter registration weekend before President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the election date, and voter registration closes.

After the previous registration weekend in November, the voters’ roll contained 26,8 million voters.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is hopeful that this final registration weekend would build on and surpass November’s turnout.

To check registration status:

– Registered voters can visit the Electoral Commission website, www.elections.org.za to check their current registration details and voting station location.

– They can also SMS their ID number to 32810 to find out the address of their voting station (charged at R1).

– Alternatively, WhatsApp “Hi” to 060 088 0000, and follow the prompts.

– Or visit your local voting station this weekend.

Online registration will close when the election date is announced, and may be done as follows:

– Go to registertovote.elections.org.za

– Click “Register to Vote Now”.

– Enter your details.

– Enter the One-Time Pin sent to your cellphone.

– Search for your address, or if you are at home, use the current location on your device.

– Take a photo of your ID or submit a clear full colour scan of your ID. You must have a green barcoded ID, smart ID card or a temporary ID certificate.

– An SMS will be sent within 24 hours to confirm your successful registration.

For more information on voter registration, visit the website, WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 060 088 0000, or call the call centre at 0800 11 8000.

To register to vote, you must meet the following requirements:

– You must be a South African citizen.

– You must have a South African green barcoded ID, smart ID card or temporary ID certificate.

– You must be 16 or older (but you will only be able to vote when you are 18 or older).

– You have to register in person or online. Nobody else can do it for you.

Once you have registered to vote, you do not need to re-register in future elections, unless:

– You have moved and are living in a different voting district.

– You have been affected by the re-drawing of the voting district and/or ward boundaries.

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