elections.org.za How to Register & Vote Abroad : Electoral Commission

Organisation : Electoral Commission Government of South Africa
Type of Facility : How to register and vote abroad
Head Office : Centurion

Website : https://www.elections.org.za/pw/

How to Register & Vote Abroad :

** The Electoral Amendment Act 2013 (see Electoral Act 73 of 1998 including Regulations) gives all South African citizens the right to register and vote abroad (national elections only).

Related : Electoral Commission Check Your Voter Registration Status : www.southafricain.com/1331.html

Can I vote abroad?
** If you are a registered voter and either live abroad or will be abroad on election day in South Africa, and you have valid South African ID as well as a valid South African passport (valid temporary passports are also accepted), you are eligible to vote abroad.

** However, you must also submit a VEC10 during the period specified in the election timetable (15 days from the date on which the election is proclaimed) notifying us of your intention to vote abroad.

How do I vote abroad?
Step 1 : Confirm registration
** Confirm your registration status online at .elections.org.za/content/For-voters/My-voter-registration-details.
** If you live abroad, but previously registered in South Africa, you are still registered.

** When checking your registration details, you may see a message that indicates that you’re required to re-register due to changes to your voting district boundaries, but this message only applies to voters living in South Africa.

** Registered voters now living abroad are not required to re-register.

Step 2 : Notify us of your intention to vote abroad
** You must notify us of your intention to vote abroad, and select the foreign mission at which you intend to vote by submitting a VEC10 notification during the period specified in the election timetable (15 days from the date on which the election is proclaimed).

** You must submit the VEC10 even if you register abroad and intend to vote where you registered.
** If you do not submit a VEC10 before the deadline specified in the election timetable, you will not be able to vote.
** Once you have submitted a VEC10, you can check the status of your VEC10 notification online.

Step 3: Vote
** If you submit your VEC10 and it is approved, you will be able to vote at the foreign mission you selected.

** Take both your green, bar-coded South African ID book; smartcard ID; or valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) AND your valid South African passport or temporary passport to the foreign mission indicated on the confirmation we sent you via email or text.

** You can only cast your vote on the date specified in the election timetable.
** Under no circumstances can votes be cast on any other date.

** Your thumbnail is marked with indelible ink.
** Your ID book is stamped.
** You receive the national ballot paper.
** You mark the ballot in secret, place and seal the ballot in the unmarked envelope given to you.

** The unmarked envelope is placed in another envelope that is marked with your name and ID number.
** The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot (the outer envelope is discarded before counting).
** The envelope is placed in a secure ballot box for special votes.

Can I vote before I leave South Africa?
** If you live in South Africa and are a registered voter, but will be abroad on the day that voting takes place in South Africa, you can either vote abroad on the date specified in the timetable (usually a week before Election Day in SA), or you can apply for a special vote.

** A special vote allows you to vote at your voting station in South Africa on the date/s specified in the election timetable (usually a day or two before Election Day).

** To apply for a special vote, you must make an appointment at the local IEC office responsible for your voting district.
** Special votes applications are only accepted during the period specified in the election timetable (available after an election has been proclaimed).

** Under no circumstances can special votes be cast on any date other than the date/s specified in the timetable.
** To be notified of important dates like this, please follow us on Twitter (.twitter.com/iecsouthafrica) or Facebook (.facebook.com/iecsouthafrica).

Contact Address :
Election House
Riverside Office Park
1303 Heuwel Avenue
Centurion – 0157