IEC voter registration deadline: Here’s the cut-off date

The Electoral Commission of South Africa says eligible voters have until Friday to register to vote following the announcement that the general elections will be held later this month by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa made the announcement on Tuesday ahead of the national budget speech. 

The Commission said eligible voters have until 23 February to register. The later date is the anticipated day of the proclamation of the election date.

Electoral Commission readiness for the election day

The Commission it was ready to deliver a succesful election day.

“The pronouncement of the election date provides an unambiguous motivation for the Commission to pull out all the stops in the intensification of preparations for Election Day.  

The announcement comes after a successful voter registration campaign which included two general registration weekends, overseas voter registration drive, campus activations and registration within correctional services centres. 

Following this overall voter registration campaign, the voters’ roll now stands at 27.6 million voters,” the Commission said. 

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Unregistered voters and those who need to update their address details can visit the local municipality office of the Electoral Commission or go to the online voter registration portal. 

Eligible voters have until Friday 23 February to register  

“The Electoral Commission reminds eligible voters of the general rule in elections. That is, a person must register where they live, and vote at the voting station where they are registered. 

The only exception to the rule is that a voter may vote outside of the voting district of registration upon notifying the Electoral Commission by a date to be regulated by the Election Timetable,” said the Commission. 

Ramaphosa also met with the premiers of all nine provinces to discuss the state of readiness ahead of the announcement.

“The 2024 elections coincide with South Africa’s 30 years of freedom and democracy. The president calls on all eligible voters to participate in this important and historic milestone of our democratic calendar,” the president’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.

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