New Zealand kicks off SA elections 2014
South Africans in New Zealand were the first to vote when the first country was the first to open its polling stations at 21:00 on Tuesday April 29 South African time.
JOHANNESBURG – Along with other South Africans who registered to vote abroad, voting started amid concerns that many won’t be able to cast their ballots.
This is believed to have been caused by miscommunication by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over the voting process. However, both parties denied the allegations.
Eyewitness News (EWN) reported, “The IEC’s Kate Bapela said information to eligible voters was adequately communicated.”
The polling centre at the South African High Commission in Canberra also opened this morning, April 30.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) deny allegations of miscommunication.
According to EWN, “Around 1,500 South Africans living in the US are expected to cast their ballots today.
“The consulate generals in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles will be closed for all other business, but will stay open for an extended time for voters.”
In New York, around 600 people are due to start voting from around 07:00 local time.
Almost 10,000 expat South Africans are registered to vote in the United Kingdom which accounts for more than a third of all registered voters abroad.
It took 108 flights to send ballot papers, boxes and official seals to South African missions across six continents.
South Africans living at home will go to the polls on 7 May, special votes will take place on Monday May 5 and Tuesday May 6.
Learn more about political parties contesting elections on our website.
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