Voter Registration 2009

South Africans who are not yet registered to vote in this year's general elections are called to do so on the weekend of 7-8 February 2009. Voting stations will be open from 8am to 5pm.

If you voted at the last election then you will still be registered. Voters who have changed address must re-register and voters who are already registered can check whether they are registered on the correct sections of the voter's roll.

Why should you vote?

It is your responsibility to contribute to democracy by voting!

Your vote can make a big difference. The party you support needs a certain number of votes to get a seat in Parliament and the Provincial Legislature. Your one vote will make a difference and you must remember that your vote is your voice.

South Africans who are registered and want to check their registration details can make use of the following facilities:

  • Call the IEC toll free from a landline on 0800 11 8000 between 08h00 and 17h00.
  • Send an SMS with your ID number to 32810 on all cell phone networks.

  • Visit http://www.elections.org.za and go to 'Am I registered?' or 'Where do I register.

The Election date will be announced by the President of South Africa. Cited: IEC, 2009.

Free and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. It is important to know what your democratic rights are.  It is also important to know the do's and not do’s during elections. The following guides will help you:

The rights of voters:

  • Your vote is confidential - No one may know who you voted for.
  • Voters have the right to choose the party you want to vote for– no one may force, intimidate or bribe a voter to vote or not vote for a party
  • Voters have the right to vote – no one may stop you from voting by forcing you to work or by preventing you from getting to the voting station
  • Voters have a right to get information from parties – no-one may stop parties or candidates from reaching voters

Do:

  • encourage all your members and supporters to be tolerant of other parties
  • express disapproval of political violence
  • support the right of all parties to campaign freely
  • inform the proper authorities of all planned marches and rallies
  • actively work with all IEC structures
  • co-operate with the police in their investigation of election crime and violence

Do not:

  • use any kind of violence or threats against anyone who supports another party
  • remove or destroy any other party's property, posters or pamphlets
  • disrupt another party's public meeting
  • stop other parties from door to door work or campaigning in your area
  • threaten or stop people who want to attend meetings of other parties
  • force people to join your party, attend meetings or donate money
  • spread false rumours about another party
  • Use violent language or urge people to use violence against any party or person. Cited: ETU, 2009.

Sources: