Pictures by Siyabonga Mkhasibe, Siphelo Tototo and Leon Tshiza

Everyone freaks out when they hear the words “Registration process”. Don’t be a freak, let LIVE break it down.

WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE?
Anyone over the age of 16, but you can only vote if you are 18. You must bring your green barcoded South African ID book, Temporary ID Certificate (TIC), or a smartcard ID with you when you go to register.

HOW DO I CHECK IF I’M REGISTERED
(OR WHERE I’M REGISTERED): If you’ve already voted or registered before but aren’t sure about the details, send a SMS with your ID number to 32810. You can also check your registration status online. To see where you’re registered, contact your nearest Electoral Municipal Office, or look online (address below).

If you’ve just registered for the first time, you can SMS the same number to confirm that your registration has gone through.

IMPORTANT: You only need to register once, unless your home address has changed since you last registered, in which case you must re-register.

WHERE/HOW DO I REGISTER?
At your correct voting station on registration weekend, which is February 8-9, 2014. To find your correct voting station, go to maps.elections. org.za/vsfinder or call 0800 11 8000. You can also apply to register at your local Municipal Electoral Office during normal business hours, but phone first to make an appointment.

IMPORTANT: You can’t register at national or provincial offi ces, only municipal offices. Whatever you do, be sure to register on or before 5pm of the day the election date is announced (you can keep track of that by checking the Government Gazette).

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REGISTER?
Fill out the voters registration form. Your ID will be scanned and a barcoded sticker will be stuck to them. You have now applied to register. Your application will be processed within seven days.

Go to www.elections.org.za for more information.

JOIN OUR VIP: VOTING IS POWER CAMPAIGN

Do you sigh when you hear the words ‘Elections 2014′? We want to do something about it and fell we need your voices to be heard. Cue our VIP: Voting is Power campaign…Some of our plans for action in 2014 include encouraging you to post your concerns on our dedicated Facebook page, hosting live debates on Twitter and in person, and writing stories or making videos about the real VIPs (people making change) in your community.

Check out our latest content on our VIP mini-site livevip.co.za, Like our dedicated Facebook page Facebook/LiveVIPZA, join the discussion on Twitter #livevipza or join our Twibbon campaign.