TIPS ON HOW TO FILL IN THE VEC10 FORM

Posted on February 17, 2009 by The Editor

Here are tips to help you fill in the VEC10 form if you are having problems completing the form

NEW VEC10 FORM

The new VEC10 form is pretty self explanatory except for:

1) Election Date: fill in 22 April

2) Voting District number: click here and all you need to do then is fill in your ID number and it will then tell you where you are registered in South Africa and will give you your voting district number that you need to fill in.

If you still have the old VEC10 form you can download the new one here

However, we have left the tips for the old form on the site and you can read them below:

OLD VEC10 FORM

The old VEC10 form can be quite confusing due to the fact that it was designed for voters who live in South Africa, and are only leaving the country for a short while.

Here a few tips on what information you should provide when filling in the various sections of the form:

1) Election Date : 22 April

2) Voting District: click here and all you need to do then is fill in your ID number and it will then tell you where you are registered in South Africa and will give you your voting district number that you need to fill in.

3) Abroad at the South African/Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in: you obviously fill in the mission you will be voting at.

4) I will leave the Republic/left the Republic on: this is the date you left the republic to go live abroad.

5) The purpose of my temporary absence is: you must fill in the reason for why your are currently living overseas; for example, on a working holiday visa etc.

6)  I am ordinarily resident in the Republic at the following address: this is the address where you are currently registered at in South Africa. In other words the place you lived at when you last voted or registered in a previous election.

7) My temporary address abroad on election day will be: you must fill in the address that you are currently living at abroad.

The DA hopes that this assists you when you fill in your forms.

However, if you still have queries you can email global@da.org.za and we will do our best to assist you.

Make sure you get your forms in by midnight on 27 February 2009!

 

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91 Responses

  1. Warren, on February 19th, 2009 at 11:20 am Said:

    Hi,

    I am currently living in London, but want to vote – however, I am not registered to vote. Can I register to vote at the embassy, and then fill in the VEC10? I understand that you need to be registered in order to apply for a special vote.

    Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

    W

  2. The Editor, on February 19th, 2009 at 3:32 pm Said:

    Dear Warren

    Unfortunately the opportunity to register closed when the President proclaimed the election date last week.

    This means that South Africans living abroad who are not on the voters roll cannot apply for a special vote.

    Depending on the decision made by the Constitutional Court on 4 March there might be another opportunity to register and I will definitely keep you posted in this regard.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  3. Peter, on February 20th, 2009 at 2:46 am Said:

    I am registered to vote in George, Western Cape as this is where I lived before moving to Canada. I am going to SA on holiday for 3 weeks in March. Will I be able to cast a vote in a different voting region than George before I go by filling out the VEC10 form(eg. Cape Town)? I will not be near George during my 3 week visit. Should I decide to vote in Canada, can it only be done at an embassy/consulate? If so it becomes VERY difficult to vote because the closest embassy from where I live is about 2000km!! I would hate to let my vote go to waste!

    I hope you can help!

  4. The Editor, on February 20th, 2009 at 7:17 am Said:

    Dear Peter

    You would have been able to vote in a different voting region in South Africa but unfortunately special voting days in South Africa will only take place two days before the Election Day on 20 April and there will be none in March.

    Also special voting overseas will only take place at South African missions. In other words special voting stations won’t be opening in overseas countries. This means that if you wanted to vote you would have to travel to your closets mission.

    I am sorry I couldn’t give you better news it obviously would have been great if you could vote in these elections.

    I hope you have a great holiday in Cape Town in March.

    Please feel free to contact me if you have any further queries.

    Kind regards

    The Editor

  5. Mark, on February 20th, 2009 at 1:30 pm Said:

    On the IEC website:

    http://www.elections.org.za/Voting_SpecialVoting.asp

    They say the following:

    What if I am working outside South Africa?
    If you are going to be outside South Africa on a work permit, you do not qualify for a special vote.

    What if I have emigrated?
    If you are a South African citizen living or going outside South Africa permanently (having emigrated), you will not qualify for a special vote.

    So if the ruling happens in March, we will probably be given extra time to register and we will probably have to fill out new forms specifically for expats, not this form. Isn’t that right?

    Has the DA got specific information from the IEC that expats are required to fill out this form? Because I can’t seem to find any information on the IEC website. If you could give a reference, that would be great!

    Thanks
    Mark

  6. The Editor, on February 20th, 2009 at 2:21 pm Said:

    Dear Mark

    The reason why we are appealing for South Africans abroad to apply for a special vote is becuase we are not sure of the process that will follow even if our court case is successful.

    The IEC might grant a new period to apply for a special vote but they might not. That is way we are advising South Africans to apply rather to be safe than sorry.

    Secondly, the IEC have unoffically told us that they will not be rejecting any applications from South Africans abroad that reach them before 27 February until the court has made its decision.

    I therefore advise you to apply now just in case a second 15 day period is not granted.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  7. Paul Sheer, on February 20th, 2009 at 2:23 pm Said:

    This is ridiculous,

    There is no complete set of steps on how to vote if you are overseas.

    There is always some piece of information missing. How insane is this situation that no one can explain a sequence of steps to carry out that will result in my vote being cast. You’d have to be James Bond to work all this out.

    For instance, WHEN do I vote and what time?. Do I just go the my local Consulate and CAMP OUT on the pavement for two months until the election? I have my VEC 10 form, where do I send it??? Can I fax it??? If I send it, how do I know it has been received and processed. I am registered in Cape Town, but how does that affect my capacity to vote overseas. What if I am not registered at all? The local Embassy says that registration is closed and I cannot vote. Why do they say this – it is only 20 February? Yet you say I still have until the 27th.

    (I am in the Netherlands.)

  8. The Editor, on February 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm Said:

    Dear Paul

    If you read the post “How to apply for a special vote” it states that the IEC will publish an election timetable soon that will contain the date of your special voting day. However, I am pretty sure it will be on 15 April because special voting days usually take place 7 days before the main Election Day. Furthermore, your consulate should be open the entire day on that special voting day for you to go vote.

    The post aslo states that you must either post or fax the form to the IEC and gives you the postal address and fax number.

    I am sure your fax machine will indicate if your fax has not gone through but you can also phone the iEC if you wish on (012) 428 5700 to confirm that they received it. I suggest your phone your consulate a few days before the voting day to find out find out if your application was successful as the IEC must notify them that you are netitled to vote.

    If you have not voted in a previous election in South Africa before then you are not on the voters roll. Unfortunately the opportunity to register closed when the President proclaimed the election date last week. This means that South Africans living abroad who are not on the voters roll cannot apply for a special vote. This is most probably what your consulate was referring to.

    However, you are registered to vote in Cape Town and this affects you because you are on the voters roll at the address of that voting station.

    The deadline to apply for a special vote not to register to vote is on 27 February.

    As you can see there is a difference between registering to vote and applying for a special vote.

    If you have any further queries you can email me at global@da.org.za

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  9. Simon Smith, on February 21st, 2009 at 1:58 pm Said:

    I work on an oil rig.
    I have not been home for 2 months now and I will only be back early March 2009. There is no way I can get to a mission station to vote on time.

    I did manage to go onto the IEC website https://www.elections.org.za/AmRegister/AmRegister.aspx to confirm (with my ID number ) that I am registered to vote… BUT I CANNOT go onto the same site (or any other) to cast my vote…

    What a lot of BS!!

    What do I do now?

  10. The Editor, on February 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 am Said:

    Dear Simon

    If you are back in South Africa by 22 April 2009 you will be able on the Election day as you are already registered to vote so all you have to do is show up at your voting station on the Election day.

    When do you get back?

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  11. Trevor Black, on February 23rd, 2009 at 9:01 am Said:

    Ok…

    So, I have sent off the fax but there was no space for contact details. So how do you know if they are going to let you vote or not?

    (unless of course they send confirmation to the address you said you would be at on the election day)

    Regards
    Trevor

  12. The Editor, on February 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 am Said:

    Dear Trevor

    Thank you for applying for a special vote. The IEC will be contacting your foreign mission to let them know that you have successfully applied for a special vote so I suggest the best thing to do is to phone your foreign mission a few days before the Election Day (most probably 15 April) and confirm with them that the IEC has accepted your notificatio.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  13. Lee, on February 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 am Said:

    Hi,

    I notice there are two forms, the VEC1 and then the VEC10. I will be going to London for about one year on working holiday visa. Which form should i fill out, and how do i describe my temporary absence as required by the form?
    Thanks

  14. Eddie Phelan, on February 23rd, 2009 at 1:51 pm Said:

    Hi, I will be flying to Australia on the 16th April and will be going into the outback, so will be unable to get to vote. Can I make some kind of arrangrment to get around this?

  15. Simon Smith, on February 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 pm Said:

    Dear Editor,

    I wok 28 day rotations. I return to Cape Town next week and then leave offshore again on 2 April 2009 until 30th April 2009.

    That means I miss the election voting by 1 week.

    What can I do?

  16. Wayne Seaman, on February 24th, 2009 at 12:20 am Said:

    With regards to South Africans living in NZ………

    From the list that the Department of foreign affairs have supplied it would seem that the only Embassy/high commission is in Canberra, Australia.

    Does that mean that South Africans living in New Zealand would have to get to the High Commission in Australia to vote or is there an office in New Zealand where we would be able to vote

    Thank you

  17. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 6:38 am Said:

    Hi Lee

    You must fill out the VEC10 form to apply for a special vote. You will only fill the VEC1 form in at your foreign mission on the voting day and they will supply you with a copy of the form.

    When it comes to filling in the form you can fill in that you are in London on a working holiday visa. You can also visit the post “Tips on how to fill in the VEC10 form” to help you complete the form.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  18. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 6:44 am Said:

    Dear Eddie

    Unfortunately the special voting day in Australia will only be taking place on 15 April so you will just miss it. Secondly, voting will only take place at the SA foreign mission in Canberra.

    The special voting that will take place in South Africa is on 20 April and I take it you will still be in Australia on this date.

    Sorry I couldn’t provide you with better news.

    The DA did approach the IEC asking them to allow the special voting day in South Africa also to take place on 15 April but they declined our request.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  19. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:03 am Said:

    Dear Simon

    Unfortunately the IEC has only set aside the 15 April to vote abroad and then the 20 April to vote at home if you can’t make it on the Election Day.

    There are no other options at the present moment.

    Sorry I can’t provide you with better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  20. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:10 am Said:

    Dear Wayne

    It seems at the present moment that the IEC will only open a special special voting station in Canberra and none in New Zealand.

    However, we will keep you posted if any changes are made in this regard.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  21. Adam, on February 24th, 2009 at 3:19 pm Said:

    Just wanted to say thanks for all the info. I’ll be voting, thanks to this site – and to be completely honest, it’s one of the reasons I’ve decided to stick with the DA. I also think the smiley in the top right hand corner is cool.

    Next step: votes by post like the US and Canada!

  22. Patrick, on February 24th, 2009 at 3:36 pm Said:

    I have lived at numerous addresses in South Africa and while I can see which town I am registered to vote in I’m not sure which address I am registered at. How do I find this out?

  23. Deon, on February 24th, 2009 at 3:59 pm Said:

    Hi

    I’ve been living in the UK for 8 years now.

    I am registered to vote in SA, but cant remember where I was living when I last voted.

    The VEC10 form requires the address you are ordinarily resident in SA .

    From what I remember I was still living at home with my parents, so I am happy to just put their current address down – only problem is I think they may have moved subsequent to when I last voted ??!! but not sure…..

    Will this be a problem ? or should I just put their current address down and then any correspondence will in any event go straight to them.

    My VEC10 form is all filled out and ready to be faxed, I just want to make sure my address in SA is correct.

    Please help
    Thanks
    Deon

  24. Eugene, on February 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm Said:

    Hello there,

    My self and alot of other collegues here did register last year but most of us have been employed by life support US company and we are currently working in Iraq. How do we cast a vote for there is no SA embassy in Iraq.
    I wont be able to be in SA on the 22nd of April only in May.

    Please advise

  25. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:08 pm Said:

    Dear Patrick

    Did you always vote at the same voting station when you lived at this different addresses? You need to fill in the address you lived at which is closest to the voting station you are registered at on the voters roll. It is usually a School or some kind of Community based center that is used as a voting station. The IEC website will give you the actual voting station and street address in which it is situated in. You need to fill in the address you lived at that is closest to the street address of this voting station.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  26. The Editor, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:14 pm Said:

    Dear Deon

    Have you checked the IEC website? When you put your ID number in the IEC gives you the street address of the voting station you are registered at. You must put the address that is closest to the street address of this voting station. Even if this is your parents old address. They only need this for voting purposes. They shouldn’t send any correspondence to you.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  27. Deon, on February 24th, 2009 at 7:28 pm Said:

    Thanks for the reply RE: address ordinarily resident at.
    Yes, used the IEC site to identify where I’m registered at, and am easily
    Able to identify where the nearest proximity to the voting station is that
    I was living .

    I’ll get my special vote faxed first thing tomorrow, and wait in anticipation
    From the courts as to whether as an expat I’ll finally be given a vote !!

    Cheers
    Deon

  28. Yolande, on February 24th, 2009 at 10:57 pm Said:

    I live in the Solomon Islands which makes Canberra my closest voting station. I am still registered to vote in SA but will not be able to go to Canberra in April (I will be there mid March though). Since I’ll not actually be able to vote, is it worth applying for the special vote, just to add numbers to the list of expats wishing to vote? To make a point, I mean?
    Or will the fact that I don’t show up for the vote contradict the point I’m trying to make?
    I would so appreciate it if they introduced a postal or online voting system.

  29. Caragh Whitehead, on February 25th, 2009 at 9:05 am Said:

    Dear Editor,

    It says on the IEC website that you need both your South Arican ID book and passport to be able to vote overseas. My husband has misplaced his South African ID book , will this prevent him from voting in the UK?

    Thanks,
    Caragh

  30. Hugo Coetzee, on February 25th, 2009 at 9:06 am Said:

    We are currently living in the Netherlands, and would like to vote if everything goes through. We have a problem however. In the move here, we misplaced our ID books, and we looked everywhere, but could not find it. We have our passports, and also still have certified copies of our ID books, will this enable us to vote, or do we have a problem that can’t be solved?

    Looking forward to your reply

    Regards

    Hugo

  31. Michael, on February 25th, 2009 at 9:20 am Said:

    Hi,

    I am in the UK and want to cast my vote, but myself and 3 of my friends do not have our ID books with us, they are back home in SA. Will we still be allowed to cast our vote without our ID books?

    thanks,

    Mike

  32. Samantha Clarke, on February 25th, 2009 at 9:58 am Said:

    Even thought I have been out of SA for 8 years, I am still on the voters role, however I think my ID book may be out of date! Will this be a problem? I think it may have expired last year. Also they say passport to be taken along when voting – but this does not stipulate SA… would I be able to take my Irish? I have had dual nationality from the age of 4 so when I left SA I had one of those letters saying I could have dual nationality… I think my SA passport has expired also! grrrr – is it still worth me filling in the VEC10? Also what about data protection? If SA Govt has all our UK/overseas addresses what will they do with this information?

  33. Lindy, on February 25th, 2009 at 10:45 am Said:

    Hi

    I voted in the 1994 elections however when I go online to check if I am registered, it says I am not, any ideas?
    I have heard there was not a register at that time?

    Do I and people like me need to sit tight pending the outcome of the March court case or fill out this form regardless?

    I have been living overseas for 10 years and will be moving back to South Africa at the end of the year – desperate to vote!

    Thanks for the info!

    Kind regards

    Lindy

  34. Robyn, on February 25th, 2009 at 10:52 am Said:

    This is to everyone posting ridiculous questions to the editor when everything is quite clearly stated on “How to apply for a special vote”. The C2C team are clearly trying to make this process run as smooth as possible for everyone. Allowing South Africans abroad to vote is a huge step for our country but obviously there will be teething problems and there will be certain situations where you will not be able to vote.. if you are on an oil rig for example or if you are cannot travel 2000km….understandable. To Paul S, maybe you should do some research before asking questions that are on the C2C blog. The editor clearly states when information will be available and is also honest about the things they don’t know as they have to wait for the IEC to decide on things even if it doesn’t make sense or if the timing is off such as the registration window. The forms are generic but just make do and stop complaining!

  35. Gabi, on February 25th, 2009 at 11:32 am Said:

    I have had my job in Taiwan for 9 years now, but I go back to SA for two months every year for “summer vacation” (June/July). Under “I left the Republic on” do I have to give the date I first left, or can I give the date I left most recently? And, for the return date, can I give the date I plan to return for my next period at home?

  36. Siobhan, on February 25th, 2009 at 11:47 am Said:

    Thanks for all the information

    I haev lived abroad for 8 years, am registered to vote but do not have an address to indicate my residence in SA. I was at university at the time of the last elections. Could i use a friend’sTokai address if my voting station was in Rondebosch?

  37. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm Said:

    Dear Yolande

    Unfortunately there are many people on that side of the world that are in the same position as what you are. The IEC is only opening a voting station in Canberra for the whole of Australia and New Zealand.

    While, I appreciate the fact that you wish to show your support for South Africans abroad and their right to vote I think it’s best not to send in a VEC10 form if you aren’t going to make it on 15 April.

    Unfortunately the IEC will not allow postal voting during these elections and there are alot of South Africans who are going to miss voting because of the few voting stations that are open on 15 April.

    I am sorry I couldn’t give you better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  38. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:04 pm Said:

    Dear Caragh

    Unfortunately, you husband must present his ID book at the foreign mission he is voting at on 15 April or he won’t be able to vote.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  39. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:08 pm Said:

    Dear Hugo

    Unfortunately, you have to have your barcoded ID books to be able to vote. Not even a certified copy of your ID book will be accepted by the IEC at your foreign mission.

    Sorry iI am not able to provide better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  40. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:10 pm Said:

    Dear Mike

    Unfortunately, you will have to present your barcoded ID books before you will be allowed to vote at your foreign mission. Could you not get your family back home to courier them up to you before 15 April?

    You don’t need them right now to get your VEC10 forms in. You will only need them on 15 April.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  41. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:15 pm Said:

    Dear Samantha

    A South African ID book cannot expire. IF you voted 8 years ago with it then it means it is the right barcoded ID book that you will need to vote.

    However, you will unfortunately need your SA passport. You will not be able to use your Irish passport so if it has expired then you are not going to be able to vote in these elections and it would not be worth sending in a VEC10 form.

    I suggest you check your passport to see if it has expired or not.

    With regard to data protection. You are sending your address details to the IEC, an independent organisation tasked with ensuring the elections are free and fair and they are not aligned to government or any political party.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  42. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:18 pm Said:

    Dear Lindy

    Yes, you have heard correctly. The IEC did not keep a voters roll during the 1994 elections. So if you only voted in these elections you won’t be registered to vote.

    Unfortunately the opportunity to register closed when the President proclaimed the election date last week.

    This means that South Africans living abroad who are not on the voters roll should not apply for a special vote.

    Depending on the decision made by the Constitutional Court on 4 March there might be another opportunity to register and I will definitely keep you posted in this regard.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  43. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm Said:

    Dear Gabi

    It should be fine if you fill in the last time you were back in South Africa and you can also fill in the date when you plan to rerutn back for your next period at home. However you need to fill in that the reason you are abroad is because you are working in Taiwan and if you are there on a visa state what visa you are there on.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  44. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pm Said:

    Dear Siobhan

    Where were you staying when you voted in Rondebsoch? At the University? You need to make sure that your address you fill in on the VEC10 form falls in the voting district covered by your voting station in Rondebosch. So if you were staying at the University then I suggest you fill that in as I am pretty sure Tokai has its own voting stations and the IEC will question why you aren’t registered at a voting station in Tokai if that’s the address you filled in.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  45. The Editor, on February 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm Said:

    Dear Eugene

    I have phoned the IEC and they have told me that the closest foreign mission that will be open for South Africans in Iraq is the one in Jordan. You can get the address of this foreign mission by clicking on the link to the IEC’s list of foreign missions on our homepage.

    If you can be in Jordan on 15 April please make sure you get your fax in by 27 February.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  46. Debbie Parker, on February 25th, 2009 at 11:44 pm Said:

    I currently work in the USA on a 2 year contract. In the hope that I will be allowed to vote (post the Constitutional Court hearing), I have filled in the VEC10 form per your recommendation.

    My only problem is that the 2 fax machines that I need to send the form to are ALWAYS off. Does the Chief Electoral Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission know that the fax machine that citizens outside of South Africa have to use, is non operational during the hours that we would be sending our forms in?

    I have tried for 3 days (at various times) to fax my VEC10 form but still without success.

    ARGH!

  47. Louise Randolph, on February 26th, 2009 at 1:25 am Said:

    Just a comment:

    Isn’t it amazing that there is only one station in the whole of Australia that will be open for South Africans to vote at – Canberra (in the middle of nowhere!) – given that there is such a large S.A. expat population in Australia? What could possibly be so difficult about letting the honorary consulates in the other big cities administer voting for a day? I think the current SA government simply doesn’t want to hear our voices!

  48. Otto Graf, on February 26th, 2009 at 4:39 am Said:

    Dear Editor

    We have been living in Canada for 3 years and have no immediate intention to return soon. My wife (French) has a long trem contract here and we may return for the World Cup for 2 weeks.
    a) On the VEC10 what does one put down as the return date, if one is not sure of returning and
    b) What will the IEC consider a reason to disallow on to vote if one puts down the reason that one moved to Canada for work reasons?

    Regards
    Otto

  49. The Editor, on February 26th, 2009 at 8:14 am Said:

    Dear Otto

    Do not worry about filling in a return date if you do not know when you are coming back to South Africa. With regard to your second question if our court case is successful next week they cannot disallow people who are working overseas to vote. All you need to fill in there is that you are in Canada on a work contract.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  50. The Editor, on February 26th, 2009 at 8:16 am Said:

    Dear Debbie

    Email your forms to global@da.org.za and I will be sure to fax it from here or hand delvier to the IEC.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  51. Jessica, on February 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm Said:

    I have my ID book but my passport has just expired. I’m going to the SAHC in London early in March to renew it. Will this be a problem?

  52. The Editor, on February 26th, 2009 at 2:56 pm Said:

    Dear Jessica

    It shouldn’t be a problem as even if you dont get your new passport in time you will have proof that you have renewed it so if you show this proof you should be able to vote.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  53. Jab, on February 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pm Said:

    Thank you very much for this very useful service.

    Best regards,
    Jab.

  54. Otto Graf, on February 26th, 2009 at 6:52 pm Said:

    The fax numbers on the IEC website

    Fax notifications to:
    012 428 5566
    012 428 5279

    are not working from Canada. Have tried 3 times to fax the form to each of the fax numbers.

    Any suggestions?

    Regards, Otto

  55. The Editor, on February 26th, 2009 at 8:37 pm Said:

    Dear Otto

    You can email your form to the DA at global@da.org.za and we will make sure it is faxed or hand delivered to the IEC before tomorrow’s deadline.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  56. Mike, on February 26th, 2009 at 11:11 pm Said:

    I voted in 1994 and in 1999. However, when I checked the IEC website to see if I’m registered (using my ID number)… it tells me I’m not :(

    Going by previous questions and replies, I guess that I’m not able to register for the voting roll then.

    How very disappointing. How is this possible? Could the IEC have “lost” my details since ‘94?

    Mike

  57. Maria, on February 27th, 2009 at 5:51 am Said:

    Is it true that South Africans based in Australia will only be able to vote in Canberra?
    Regards
    Maria

  58. Ramona, on February 27th, 2009 at 1:41 pm Said:

    Hi i am in the process of applying on the VEC form. However I dont have a copy on my ID, only my passport. Does this mean i wont be eligible to vote?
    If i get my parents to fax a copy of my ID would that allow me to vote?

    Thanks

  59. The Editor, on February 27th, 2009 at 4:00 pm Said:

    Dear Maria

    Unfortunately the only foreign mission that will be opening in Australia is in Canberra

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  60. The Editor, on February 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pm Said:

    Dear Ramona

    You have to have your actual ID book and passport to be able to vote on 15 April. A copy of your ID will not work. So the best would be if your parents courier your ID book up to you.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  61. Dum Dutchman, on March 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am Said:

    I faxed that VEC10 form through on the 25′th of February 2009, so hopefully I will be able to vote in Wellington New Zealand.I was registered in a town in the Western Cape previously.I hope my right to be able to vote will be restored.That is my right as a South African citizen.

  62. The Editor, on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 am Said:

    Dear Dum

    Thank you getting your application in. Our court case will be heard tomorrw, 4 March and hopefully we will win back your right to vote!

    We will keep you posted in this regard.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  63. Wilanda, on March 12th, 2009 at 4:58 pm Said:

    Hi There,

    I have read through the endless blogs and documents but still can’t seem to get a basic, straight forward answer. If you are a South African citizen, you voted last time around, and you are not registered for this election becuase you live overseas (i will not be returning to South Africa until December) but I would like to vote… How do I go about this? If at all possible.

    Thanks,

    Wilanda

  64. The Editor, on March 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pm Said:

    Dear Wilanda

    Have you checked if you are on the voters roll – there is a link on the homepage of this blog?

    If you are and you are a South African citizen, you have your passport and your ID book then you qualify to vote and you must get your VEC10 form in by 27 March.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  65. Peter Marais, on March 13th, 2009 at 6:29 am Said:

    Hi, I will be in SA on 15 April 09 when special votes are casted but will leave SA on 19 April 09 and therefor not be able to take part in the normal voting in SA.
    Please advice if the special votes can be casted in SA on 15 April 09??
    Thanks

  66. Tristan, on March 13th, 2009 at 8:38 am Said:

    Hi,

    I am currently with a bunch of South African’s working in Italy. We would all like to vote but none of us are registered. Has it become possible to register abroad since the court case has been won?

    Eagerly look forward to your reply so we can all get to Rome and vote.

    Kind regards,

    T

  67. The Editor, on March 13th, 2009 at 4:06 pm Said:

    Dear Tristan

    Unfortunately the Constitutional Court ruled that only South Africans who are registered to vote can apply to vote in the upcoming elections.

    This means that you and your colleagues cannot apply to vote in these elections.

    We will be pursuing the registration issue in the future so that you can vote in future elections.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  68. The Editor, on March 13th, 2009 at 4:08 pm Said:

    Dear Pieter

    Unfortunately while we did approach the IEC requesting that they allow South Africans to vote in the country on 15 April as well they refused to grant this.

    This means that you will be missing both the elections days.

    I am sorry I couldn’t give you better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  69. Coleen, on March 13th, 2009 at 7:25 pm Said:

    I am registered, but I work on a cruise ship. What if I am in the middle of the ocean on the day I need to vote?

  70. The Editor, on March 14th, 2009 at 1:56 pm Said:

    Dear Coleen

    Unfortunately you have to go to a foreign mission that the IEC is opening on 15 april to be able to vote. You will therefore miss the opportunity to vote if you are on the cruise ship on this day.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  71. Jennifer Scannell, on March 16th, 2009 at 9:21 am Said:

    Thank you so much for fighting for South Africans living outside the country.

    I have just phoned the Consulate in Munich for information about the voting to be told that our voting will be on the 16th April not the 15th, is this so?

    The VEC10 form also asks for our return date to SA, but we are on relocation and have no return date yet, do I give my next holiday date instead?

  72. Mark, on March 16th, 2009 at 2:34 pm Said:

    Dear Editor,

    I find it a shame that my post was previously deleted and am somewhat perplexed as there was nothing offensive about it.

    My issue as with many other South Africans on this page is only an emotional one – i.e.
    we voted in 1994 but our details were “lost”, we live permanently abroad and were never allowed until now to vote.

    Registration was geared for those temporarily abroad.

    The March court ruling came after the initial February registration period – not during or before.

    Surely these are relevant issues (and confusions) to learn from at least for a vote in the future?

    Kind Regards,
    Mark

  73. The Editor, on March 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm Said:

    Dear Mark

    The DA will be pursuing this in the near future to ensure that South Africans who are in this position will be able to register and will be able to vote in the next elections.

    We agree with you that it is unfair that you voted in 1994 but cannot vote because the IEC failed to keep a voters roll during these elections.

    I am sorry we couldn’t have given you better news regarding the ruling and registering to vote.

    The DA does see today’s victory as only the first step in winning back the right of every South African abroad to be able to vote in the future.

    We will definitely keep you posted on this issue!

    Kind Regards

    THe Editor

  74. The Editor, on March 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm Said:

    Dear Rian

    Unfortunately you have to have both your ID book and passport to be able to vote on 15 April.

    You should be able to apply for a temporary from Home Affairs at the SA high commission. They should give this to you straight away while you wait for you passport to be returned to you.

    You are allowed to vote with a temporary passport. I hope you have your ID book with you.

    Kind regards

    The Editor

  75. The Editor, on March 16th, 2009 at 9:14 pm Said:

    Dear Jennifer

    The Munich Consulate is wrong the special voting day in every country abroad will be 15 April.

    Do not worry about filling in a return date. If you fill in, in the section”reason for being abroad” that you are working temporarily overseas on a working contract or visa then the IEC will know that you are working temporarily abroad (in other words you qualify to vote) even though you don’t know when you are returning to South Africa.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  76. Cath, on March 17th, 2009 at 11:50 am Said:

    Hi,

    Whenever I go onto the link to see if I am registered to vote, I add in my ID number and the verification code but nothing happens. Is the system down at the moment or does this mean that I’m not registered? Surely I should be directed to a site that says either ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

    Thanks,
    Cath

  77. The Editor, on March 17th, 2009 at 2:06 pm Said:

    Dear Cath

    I have found from experience – have been putting in a lot fo ID numbers during the past few weeks – that if it does nothing, it just refreshes the page then you are making a mistake with the digits you are filling in, in other words, you are not entering a valid ID number. It only did this to me if this was the case.

    If you put in the correct ID number it will definitely either give you the voting station you are registered at or sya that you are not on the voters roll.

    Does the ID number you are typing in have 13 digits? Have you double checked that you are not mixing up one of the digits?

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  78. Megan, on March 17th, 2009 at 3:48 pm Said:

    Dear Editor,

    I have read most of the posts above, so apologise for repetition! I registered when I was at university (1999) and have not re-registered in KZN, to where I am likely to return. My concern is that my address, at which I am registered is obviously a UCT residence, which I have not been at for some time – living in a “nanny state” like the UK where the government knows EVERYTHING about you and seem to check up such things, are you sure that it won’t matter that I do not live there/intend to return to that address??

    Thank you for your assistance.

    Regards,
    Megan

  79. Gregg, on March 17th, 2009 at 8:39 pm Said:

    Hi,

    I am an international student in Vancouver, Canada. Before the new law was passed, I attempted to get hold of the South African embassy in Vancouver. As an international student I believe I have always had the right to vote.

    I found the details listed on Home Affairs website to be misleading. There is no embassy in Vancouver, just a lawyer that has been appointed to handle South African affairs and I was told to contact the embassy in Toronto.

    The Toronto embassy was extremely unhelpful, but made it clear that if I wanted to vote I would have to travel there to do so. 4400km.

    With the new changes will I be able to give my vote to the appointed person in Vancouver or would I still have to travel? Is there anyway to mail in an absentee ballot?

    Thanks a lot.

  80. sally bresler, on March 18th, 2009 at 8:48 am Said:

    My son is registered to vote and is in SA until 22nd March. We are struggling to make sense of the form he has to fill in for a special vote. Have downloaded 2 … VEC1 and VEC10. The latter doesn’t seem to need any details of reason for, or date of departure from SA. Have we got the correct form?

  81. The Editor, on March 18th, 2009 at 2:33 pm Said:

    Dear Megan

    It does not matter that you no longer live at this address or intend returning there. You must still fill it in. However, the IEC has released a new form today -which is on our homepage- that no longer requires an address in South Africa.

    I suggest you therefore rather fill this form in.

    Kind Regards

    THe Editor

  82. The Editor, on March 18th, 2009 at 2:44 pm Said:

    Dear Gregg

    The IEC will be opening two foreign missions in Canada on 15 April – in Toronto and Ottawa.

    Unfortuantely, the definitely will not be opening one in Vancouver and there is also no opportunity for an absentee ballot.

    Sorry I cannot provide you with better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  83. The Editor, on March 18th, 2009 at 2:57 pm Said:

    Hi Sally

    I have replied to your comment from my global@da.org.za address.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  84. Samantha, on March 19th, 2009 at 9:49 am Said:

    I am currently living in Scotland, where do I go to vote or can I simply email or post off the special vote?

  85. Toni, on March 19th, 2009 at 3:08 pm Said:

    Hi

    I am registered in the Western Cape but live in the UK, unfortunately although I will be in SA on the date of the election I will be with my parents in Durban. Is there any way I can vote still??

    Thanks

    Toni

  86. Paul, on March 23rd, 2009 at 7:46 am Said:

    Hi

    Thanks for your work in helping many South Africans to vote.

    How do we know that the VEC10 forms have been processed and that we can vote on 15 April?

  87. The Editor, on March 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm Said:

    Dear Paul

    With regard to finding out if your application was successful, I suggest you phone the foreign mission you applied to vote at a week or two before the 15 April to find out if your application was successful as the IEC has to inform the foreign mission that you are allowed to vote.

    Or, you can phone the IEC head office at Tel : (012) 428 5700 and ask for the special votes section. They should be able to let you know if your application was successful or not. They take a while to pick up so let it ring for at least a minute or so.

    Kind Regards

    THe Editor

  88. The Editor, on March 23rd, 2009 at 3:01 pm Said:

    Dear Toni

    Will you be in Durban on 22 April? If so, you can vote at the voting station i n Durban here you are registered at.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  89. The Editor, on March 23rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm Said:

    Dear Samantha

    The only foreign mission opening in the UK on 15 April is the High Commission in Trafalgar Square in London.

    Sorry I couldn’t give you better news.

    Kind Regards

    The Editor

  90. X Mayer, on March 27th, 2009 at 2:14 am Said:

    Hi,
    I’m trying to use the form but I can’t seem to type in it. The cursor comes up but it just doesn’t type. It seems like it should be simple but its not working. Can anyone help – I’m running out of time
    Xan

  91. The Editor, on March 27th, 2009 at 7:17 am Said:

    Dear Xan

    The reason why is because the IEC has only supplied the form in this PDF format so you cant complete it online. You need to print it, fill it in and then either fax it off or scan it in and email it to the IEC.

    You will see that the form does require your signature whuch you would also not be able to do if you filled it in online.

    Kind Regards

    THe Editor

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