First-time voter guide: What to take and expect at a South African voting station - IOL

Voting for the first time? Here’s what identification you need, what happens at the voting station and how to cast your ballot correctly.

IF YOU will be heading to the polls for the very first time, the experience can be exciting. However, if you are unfamiliar with the process, you might also feel a little anxious about what to expect.

From knowing which identification documents to bring to understanding what happens inside the voting station, there are a few things you should know before election day.

Here's a guide, based on information provided by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), to help you prepare for your first voting experience.

On election day, go to the voting station at which you're registered (check your voter registration status to find out where you're registered).

Show your green, bar-coded, South African ID book or a temporary identification certificate to the voting officer.

The voting officer checks that your name appears on the voters' roll.

Once the voting officer is satisfied that you have the correct ID, are a registered voter and have not already voted, your name is marked off the roll, your ID is stamped on the second page and your thumbnail is inked.

The voting officer stamps the back of the correct number of official ballot papers (one per election) and gives them to you.

Take your ballot paper/s to an empty ballot booth, mark the ballot paper, fold it so that your choice isn't visible and place the ballot paper in the ballot box.