Media release

Government calls on South Africans to register to vote this weekend

17 November 2023

Government calls on all eligible voters to register for the upcoming national and provincial elections. The Electoral Commission of South Africa will hold its first voter registration weekend on the 18th and 19th of November 2023 to allow all eligible voters to register to vote for the upcoming 2024 National General Elections. 

The right to vote remains precious; it is a culmination of years of sacrifice and struggle for our freedom. The struggle for freedom secured the right for every South African to be active participants in our democratic system, and by voting or registering to vote, South Africans choose to honour those who gave up their lives for the treasured right to cast their vote. 

Voting puts the power in the hands of citizens and is a way for them to use their voice to bring about their choices, by taking action and registering to vote, citizens can strengthen and bolster democracy based on their will. 
 
All voting stations across the country will be opened between 08:00 and 17:00 during the weekend of 18-19 November 2023 for people to register, change their registration details or verify their details. 

Citizens are eligible to register to vote if they are: 
•    A South African citizen 
•    At least 16 years and older (you can only vote from age 18) 
•    In possession of a green bar-coded ID book, smart ID card or temporary identity certificate. 

Eligible voters are also urged to check their registration status online at https://registertovote.elections.org.za or at their local IEC office and they can also find their  voting station, on the  Electoral Commission’s website, www.elections.org.za, or by calling their   helpline on 0800 11 8000. Citizens can also get voter registration and other election information by WhatsApping “hi” to 060 088 0000. 
The Department of Home Affairs will be open between 08h00 and 17h00 on 18 and 19 November to allow eligible voters to collect their IDs or to apply for temporary ID Certificates that enable them to register to vote for the 2024 national and provincial elections. 

“We appeal to the youth, especially those who are eligible to vote for the first time, to take the first step and register to vote! Voting puts the power in your hands and it is a way for every eligible citizen to use their voice to bring about change. The youth vote is central to the success of a well-functioning democracy”, said Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Acting Director General, Nomonde Mnukwa. 

Government is committed to ensuring a peaceful voter registration weekend and it has instructed the South African Police Service to act swiftly and decisively against those who will want to disrupt voter registrations. Although all plans are in place to ensure a peaceful voter registration weekend, it is also incumbent on citizens to play their part in maintaining the country’s track record of being a model democratic nation. 

Enquiries:
Acting Government Spokesperson:
Nomonde Mnukwa
Cell: 083 653 7485

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