President Jacob Zuma has signed the Electoral Amendment Act, which means South Africans living abroad can now register to vote, and vote, at their local embassy. Here’s how to do it.
The President has signed the amendment bill, which now allows South Africans overseas to register to vote in next year’s elections. However, the regulations now need to be published and that process completed before the IEC can start overseas registration.
1. If you have voted before, you are registered (your name stays on the Voters’ Roll for life).
5. You must apply to register before 5pm on the day that the President proclaims the date of an election, or you won’t be able to vote in that election. When the President announces the date of the election South Africans living abroad will have 15 days to complete a VEC10 form online and submit to the IEC to notify them of your intention to vote abroad and indicate at which diplomatic mission, embassy or high commission you will vote. This form is not yet available, but will be made available closer to the time. You will then receive an email or text message to let you know if you qualify to vote abroad.
Voters will only be able to vote in the National Assembly ballot and not for candidates in the provincial legislatures.
Click here for further information on voting abroad or visit the IEC website.