Every citizen of South Africa over the age of 18 who is living in the country at the time of the election may vote in an election providing their name appears on the Voters’ Roll.  

Citizens living outside of South Africa: Only those citizens who are temporarily absent from South Africa on the date of the election or absent and in the employ of the Government of South Africa are eligible to vote at a polling station outside of South Africa. Forms to notify the IEC of your temporary absence from South Africa on election day are available at www.elections.org.za

The Voters Roll – Registering to Vote: The IEC is required by the Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act to compile and maintain a national common voters' roll. The Voters' Roll has to be certified before any election. To be entered on the roll you must: 1)apply for registration in person; 2) be a South African citizen; 3) possess and show a valid barcoded identity document (ID) or valid temporary identity certificate (TIC)

You may apply to register only for the voting district in which you are ordinarily resident. Where you are “ordinarily resident” is defined as the home or place where you live or to which you regularly return after any temporary period of absence.

The Voters’ Roll for the election closes as soon as the election day declared by the President is published in the Gazette. To find out if you are registered, check the IEC website www.elections.org.za.