Illegal things to avoid doing this election day

Various election do’s and dont’s have been shared and reiterated ad nauseam over the last few weeks in the lead-up to May 8, but there seems to be continued confusion over what voters can and cannot do at election stations and the ballot box on the all-important day.

It is an offence to take and publish photographs which reveal your vote on a ballot paper. If convicted, offenders will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year. Rather take a selfie/thumbie once you've left your voting station.

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) May 7, 2019

During a press briefing held earlier today, the Electoral Commission (IEC) reminded voters that the following behaviour is illegal and they should not:

• Prevent someone from speaking to other voters;
• Prevent a political event or rally from being held when you do not have the right to do so;
• Take pictures that show who they voted for;
• Bribe or influence an official of the Electoral Commission while they are doing their duty;
• Misinform the Electoral Commission when you are asked to provide a statement;
• Publish false information about an election that may disrupt, prevent or influence the election results;
• Publish false information that may create anger or fear and could change the election results;
• Interfere with a voter’s right to secrecy when he or she is voting;

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• Give information about voting or the counting of votes when you are not allowed to;
• Interfere with any voting materials;
• Make, produce or supply election materials when by law you are not allowed to;
• Remove, hide or destroy election materials when by law you are not allowed to;
• Damage or remove election posters, billboards or placards – this is not allowed from the date that an election is proclaimed (announced) until the election results have been given out by the Electoral Commission;
• Use the voters’ roll or election materials for purposes other than the election;
• Prevent the Electoral Commission from doing their duties in running the election;
• Try to harm the honesty and dignity of the Electoral Commission.

Electoral laws prohibit officials and party agents from wearing any political party affiliated clothing or regalia inside a voting station on Election Day. But they do not stop ordinary voters from wearing political party clothing or regalia on voting day.

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— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) May 7, 2019

Voters should also not pretend to be one of the following: an official of the Electoral Commission, a representative of a registered political party, a candidate in an election, an accredited (qualified) observer, an accredited (qualified) voter education official.

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