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Voter Registration

South Africa South Africa

VR001

Voting age
Question:What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer: c. 18
Comments: A person of 16 years or older may apply for registration but, if the application is successful, the applicant’s name may only be placed on the voters’ roll once the applicant reaches the age of 18 years.
Source: Electoral Act of 1998 (as amended to 2013), Section 6(1A): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-73-of-1998-as-amended/view
Verified: 2019/05/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
VR002

Other voting requirements
Question:Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s): a. Citizenship
Comments: If satisfied that a person’s application for registration complies with this Act, and that the person is a South African citizen and is at least 18 years of age, the chief electoral officer must register that person as a voter by making the requisite entries in the voters’ roll.
Source: Electoral Act of 1998 (as amended to 2013), Section 8(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-73-of-1998-as-amended/view
Verified: 2019/05/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
VR004

Authority responsible for voter registration
Question:Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer: d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The Chief Electoral Officer, appointed by the Independent Electoral Commission, must compile and maintain a national common voters' roll.
Source: Electoral Act of 1998 (as amended to 2013), Sections 11-14: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-73-of-1998-as-amended/view
Verified: 2019/05/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
VR008

Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question:Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer: b. No
Comments: Registration voluntary and continuous, revision drive before election.
Source: Electoral Act of 1998 (as amended to 2013), Section 5: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/ZA/south-africa-electoral-act-73-of-1998-as-amended/view
Verified: 2019/05/20
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.