Below, find a comprehensive guide on how to deal with anything that might come up during the voting process.
To find out where you must vote – or for answers to frequently asked questions, click here.
ID
Valid forms of ID:
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Invalid forms of ID:
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ZipZip machine
At the door, your ID will be scanned with the ZipZip machine. If the machine is not working, voting can continue. The voter must be on the voters’ roll for that Voting District or provide proof that they are registered in that province in order to still receive a national and provincial ballot. SMS your ID to 32810 (R1) to receive an IEC confirmation SMS. If absolutely no proof of registration can be obtained, the voter should not be allowed to vote.
Voters’ roll
Finding your name:
Check that your name is correctly scratched off the voters’ roll, and everyone that votes before or after you.
Proving that it should be there:
Your name should be on the voters’ roll of the Voting District where you are registered. If it is not, and you can prove that you are registered to vote, you should still be allowed to vote. SMS your ID to 32810 (R1) to receive an IEC confirmation SMS. If absolutely no proof of registration can be obtained, you may not be allowed to vote.
Voting at a different voting station:
In this election you can only vote at the voting station where you are registered, unless you have submitted a “notification to vote at another voting station” (known as an S24A) to the IEC. You can check the status of your S24A application on the IEC website.
Missing proof of registration slip:
If you have lost your proof of registration slip, you should still be allowed to vote because:
- Your name will appear on the voters’ roll for that Voting District (if you are voting where you are registered).
- The ZipZip machine will show that you are registered to vote, as it contains the entire national voters’ roll electronically.
- SMS your ID to 32810 (R1) to receive an IEC confirmation SMS.
If none of the above work, speak to a DA representative to help you. If absolutely no proof of registration can be obtained, the presiding officer may not let you vote.
Ink
When your finger is inked, make sure the IEC uses the correct indelible ink, as labeled (not a permanent marker) and is marking across your nail and skin. If it wipes off – it will not magically reappear – you must report them to the IEC and or your DA representative at the voting station.
Ballots
Three ballots:
In this election, you will receive three ballot papers – national, regional and provincial. The national and regional ballots count towards the National Assembly, and the provincial ballot counts towards your provincial legislature. Vote DA on all three ballots.
If you have submitted an S24A to cast a vote in a different province from where you are registered, you will only receive a national ballot paper.
Ballot stamps:
Check that your ballots are stamped in your presence, on the back. Only stamped ballots are valid. It should not be stamped on the front as this might spoil the ballot. Unstamped ballots are invalid and will not be counted.
Voting booth
Privacy:
Check that you can vote in private. No IEC staff or party agents are allowed near the booths where voting is taking place, unless assistance is requested by the voter. Your vote is your secret. No political party or government body know who you vote for. Your vote cannot be traced to you as your ID number cannot be linked to your vote at all.
Using a pen:
Make sure you are given a pen to vote with, and not a pencil. Pencil votes can be rubbed out and changed. If you are given a pencil, insist on a pen and report this to the DA party agent/local representative.
Marking clearly:
When you vote, make sure your intention is clear by clearly making a mark in the right party’s box. If your vote is unclear, the ballot will be spoilt. If it goes outside the box a little bit, it will still count if it’s clear who you are voting for.
Don’t spoil your ballot:
Do not write your name or ID number on the ballot. Your vote is your secret! Any other marks on the ballot, besides your vote, might spoil the ballot.
Need help at the voting booth?
You may ask the presiding officer for assistance in voting. They will then ask two party agents to observe the process, to ensure the presiding officer is voting correctly on your behalf.
If you make a mistake:
You may ask for another ballot if you made a mistake. Be sure to cross out your discarded ballot entirely, to clearly spoil the ballot, so that it is not re-used.
Ballot box
Fold your ballot and place it inside the ballot box. Check that the ballot box is correctly sealed and cast votes are not accessible.
Party agents
Party Agents may observe every process, except when voters are voting in the booth. Party agents may not interact with voters unless the presiding officer is present. They may not observe who you are voting for unless you have asked for assistance from the presiding officer.