SA expats head to the polls on Saturday
There was a comparatively low rate of registration across Africa.
ABOUT 30 000 South African expats will be making their mark on Saturday, 27 April from 121 South African consulates across the world.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), a total of 30 532 voters applied, however a total of 29 334 were approved, marking a very high success rate compared to the last elections. In 2014, the IEC received 27 899 applications to vote outside of the country. A total of 26 716 were approved, but only 18 446 actually went out and cast their ballot.
“The IEC has been able to collate data on where exactly South Africans have been registering since the turn of the year. London tops the chart by a country mile, housing over 9 000 of our expats who are ready to take part in the elections,” said the commission.
The UAE and The Netherlands were also popular hot-spots. There was a comparatively low rate of registration across Africa, whereas in South America there are 125 voters who are expected to cast their vote.
In the past, expats voting was held midweek, however this year it has been shifted to a weekend to allow any working expats and South African families abroad greater flexibility in their schedules. “Midweek voting dates have often been met with frustration and anger from our immigrant community. The polls will be open for a 14-hour period – you can register your vote on the day between 7am and 9pm. Whether you’re an early riser or a late finisher, there will be an opportunity for everyone. This is to allow for the secure transportation of completed ballot papers back to the national office of the Electoral Commission, where they will be counted in front of party agents and added to the national ballot count once polling closes on 8 May 2019,” the commission stated.
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The Electoral Amendment Act 2013 (see Electoral Act 73 of 1998 including Regulations), gives all South African citizens the right to register and vote abroad for only national elections.
The Independent Electoral Commission has provided the following information in regards to the voting process:
What happens when you cast a special vote abroad?
Your thumbnail is marked with indelible ink.
Your ID book or Temporary Identity Certificate is stamped (if you’re voting with a smart ID card this will not be stamped).
You receive a national election ballot paper.
You mark the ballot in secret, place and seal the ballot in an unmarked envelope.
The unmarked envelope is placed in another envelope that is marked with your name, ID number and the name of the mission where you voted. The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot (the outer envelope is discarded before counting).
Election officials take the envelope and place it in a secure ballot box for special votes.
Your name is marked off the voters’ roll for your mission to indicate that you have cast a special vote.
When voting closes, the secure ballot box is returned via diplomatic mail to the national office of the Electoral Commission where it is stored securely until election day in South Africa (8 May).
Once voting closes on 8 May at 9pm, the sealed ballot boxes from missions around the world are opened in front of party agents and counted.
The votes for each party are added to the national total for each party on the results system.
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