POSTING a photo on social media of yourself holding your marked ballot paper is illegal and the Independent Electoral Commission will be taking no prisoners if you are caught.
This also includes posting a photo of just your marked ballot paper.
City of uMhlathuze Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo could find himself in hot water after a photo of him holding his marked ballot paper was posted online on Monday.
According to reports it was removed within minutes.
Cllr Mhlongo this morning told the Zululand Observer he had not posted the photo himself and directed further queries to the ANC in the region, who issued a statement shortly after media queries.
‘The ANC in the Musa Dladla Region has since apologised unreservedly to the IEC for the honest error,’ read the statement.
‘We also urge the IEC to continue educating voters on its new rules.’
The statement continued, saying that as the ANC’s mayoral candidate for the City of uMhlathuze, Cllr Mhlongo’s vote was no secret.
uThungulu Regional Supervisor Thule Dlamini this morning said that no official complaint against Mhlongo had been received by her office.
While no official guidelines exist for the possible penalties for posting a marked ballot online, media reports posted in the past say offenders could be liable to pay a fine or be given a prison sentence not exceeding one year.
Voters are reminded they may take photos of themselves at a voting station or of their marked thumb, but not while inside the voting booth.
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