The
Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that over 18 469 South African
citizens living in 101 countries around the world have started registering to
vote using the newly launched online registration portal system. The system has
been operational since December 2023.
The
countries with the most people registering online include the United Kingdom (5938),
the Netherlands (1844), Germany (746), the United States (821), Ireland (675), United
Arab Emirates (1068), China (515), Australia (588), New Zealand (314), Cuba
(293), Portugal (284) and Belgium (280). In the African continent, South
Africans have begun to register in 28 countries, including Mauritius (316), Lesotho
(224) Namibia (148), Botswana (170), Zambia (96), Zimbabwe (77), Kenya (73),
Ghana (45) and Tanzania (40).
The Electoral
Commission has enabled an online registration facility for the first time to
allow South Africans outside the country to easily register for the 2024
National Elections. In the 2019 elections, about 21 000 South Africans voted
abroad, with 7 023 of them being newly registered. The Commission hopes that
the introduction of an online registration system will attract the majority of
citizens from abroad.
We take
this opportunity to thank everyone who has heeded our call to use the online
system and appeal to citizens living outside the country who are eligible to
vote to take advantage of the upcoming overseas voter registration weekend on
26, 27, and 28 January 2024.
Citizens
living abroad must register as voters either online or in person at their
nearest South African mission. South African high commissions, embassies, and
consulates will be open during working hours.
Eligible voters are encouraged to check with their nearest mission on the
registration dates and times. Registration requires a South African identity
document as well as a South African passport.
The Department
of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) informed us that three
missions, Israel, Sudan, and Ukraine, have been temporarily closed due to
security concerns. We will take the best possible steps to ensure that everyone
participates in this democratic process. We encourage citizens in these
countries to register through our online portal.
A
special two-day voter registration event for South African citizens abroad will
take place between 26 and 28 January 2024, depending on the configuration of
weekend days. For example, in countries where the weekend is a Saturday and Sunday, the registration event will
take place on Saturday 27 January, and Sunday 28 January 2024. In countries
where Friday and Saturday are weekends, the two special days designated will be
Friday 26 January, and Saturday 27 January 2024.
The
Commission wishes to advise South Africans who are already registered to vote –
either on the national or international segment of the voters’ roll, to check
their registration status and to update their voters’ roll address if they
intend to vote abroad in the 2024 National Elections.
We
have put in place all necessary measures to ensure that no one is left behind
and that all citizens vote in the 2024 National Election. The upcoming 2024
National Elections offer an important opportunity for all South Africans to
have their voices heard, regardless of geographic location.
Online registration process:
The online
registration process for South Africans abroad is as follows:
- Visit
the IEC website: Go to the official website of the
Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa at www.elections.org.za.
- Select
'Register to vote abroad': Navigate to the
'Register to vote abroad' menu item on the website homepage.
- Complete
the online form: Fill out the online registration form
with accurate and up-to-date information. This typically includes personal
details, contact information, proof of citizenship, and the selection of
the South African mission abroad where the citizen intends to vote.
- Provide
supporting documents: Upload the necessary supporting
documents, including copies of the South African identity document and
passport. Ensure that these documents comply with the specified
requirements.
- Verify
and submit: Review information carefully to ensure
accuracy and once satisfied, submit the online registration form.
- Confirmation
and follow-up: After submission, a confirmation email
acknowledging the registration will be issued. The IEC may ask you for any
additional information or clarification.
We extend
our gratitude to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for
its ongoing assistance in ensuring that we reach as many citizens living in
other countries as possible, as well as for allowing the Commission to use all
embassies as voter registration stations. A full list of South Africa’s
missions is available on the website of DIRCO.
The
Commission further pleads with businesses and organisations around the world to
encourage their South African employees to register during this registration
weekend. In the same breath, we also call upon members of the media to assist
us by spreading the word all over the world.
Voter
registration is the first crucial step towards making your voice heard in the
2024 National Elections. It ensures you are included in the national
voters’ roll, enabling you to cast your vote in the upcoming elections.
Register
to vote, either online today or in person at your South African mission on 26
to 28 January 2024, and let your voice echo across borders, resonating with the
spirit of democracy that binds us all. It’s
your democracy, own it!
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible elections
For media queries: Please
contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Please
email requests to: [email protected]
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