By law, South Africans abroad can (only) vote in South Africa's national elections; they cannot vote in the provincial elections, regional elections for National Assembly, or municipal elections.
Citizens who wish to vote out-of-country in the 2024 National Elections must be registered to vote, and must be able to produce a South African identity document (ID) when voting at the international voting station at an accredited mission where they are registered to vote, or successfully submitted a VEC 10 notice to vote at.
A voter who is registered to vote out-of-country and intends voting at the accredited mission where they are registered to vote, is NOT required to submit an online VEC 10 special vote application.
Only voters who will be voting at an accredited mission that they are not registered to vote are required to submit an online VEC 10 special vote application. The completion of this form informs the Electoral Commission of their intention to vote abroad by indicating the mission at which they will be voting, once the date of the national election is proclaimed. In terms of the Election Timetable, the legislated period for VEC 10 applications is from 24 February to 22 April 2024 only. Hurry, apply here before it's too late!
Why should you vote in the South Africa's National Elections if you live abroad? Because each and every citizen has the right to vote in South Africa's elections, and the responsibility to participate in making decisions for its future.
What happens when I cast a special vote out-of-country?
Registered citizens will vote as follows out-of-country:
Your thumbnail is marked with indelible ink.
Your ID book or Temporary Identity Certificate is stamped (if you're voting with an ID smartcard this will not be stamped).
You receive a national election ballot paper.
You mark the ballot in secret, place and seal the ballot in an unmarked envelope.
The unmarked envelope is placed in another envelope that is marked with your name, ID number and the name of the accredited mission where you voted. The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot (the outer envelope is discarded before counting).
Election officials take the envelope and place it in a secure ballot box for special votes.
Your name is marked off the voters’ roll for your mission to indicate that you have cast a special vote.
It's your democracy, own it!