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.
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;
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.
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.
