The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has said it is satisfied with the regulations in place regarding overseas voting.
More than 76,000 voters living abroad are expected to cast their votes in the 2024 general election this weekend.
Chief Electoral Officer Sai Mamabolo outlines the process once votes are cast.
“All such special votes are placed first in an unmarked envelope and then in a second envelope with the polling station and voter details for verification in the list of approved special votes. The envelopes are then placed in secure ballot boxes and transported into the country. All special votes cast outside the Republic must be delivered to the Electoral Commission headquarters by 9pm on election day. and the counting of those votes will take place in the presence of party agents and observers.
The commission said there were about 56.6 voters in the international section of the electoral register, but the total number of voters expected to cast their votes this weekend was due to the approval of more than 20,000 applications by citizens expressing their intention to vote abroad. will be over 76,600 people.
Mamabolo said the committee is ready for voting to take place at 111 overseas diplomatic missions.
“All missions have already received election materials such as ballot papers, polling stations, ballot boxes, envelopes and voter rolls. Polling stations will be open from 7 p.m. You will now be able to exercise your right to vote in South Africa's national elections.'' On both overseas voting days, the Electoral Commission will have extended hours to respond to voter inquiries. ”
The IEC has clarified that missions with working weeks from Sunday to Thursday will vote on Friday the 17th, while missions that operate from Monday to Friday will vote on Saturday May 18th.
IEC prepares 76,000 citizens to vote in 111 foreign missions: Mawetu Mosely
Nine missions fall into the former category and 112 missions fall into the latter, resulting in a total of 111 missions for expatriates to vote on.
The IEC says the polling station will operate on May 18 and 19 as just over 24,000 people are expected to vote in London.
Mamabolo explains what overseas voters can expect at the polling station.
“A person voting outside the limits of the Republic will only vote on a country-to-country ballot paper.Similarly, a person voting outside the area of registration by notification under Article 24A will also receive one ballot paper, i.e. If I am Sy Mamabolo who is registered with Centurion. But on the day of the election, I will be voting in Polokwane, Limpopo, so I cannot influence the elections of people who are registered in Limpopo. It is only a referendum.”
Life is busy, we understand. If you are unable to go to your registered polling place on May 29, please apply for a section 24A notification. You have until May 17 to notify the commission of your intention to vote elsewhere.
Submit the form at https://t.co/QJkqSXHurv or at your local IEC. pic.twitter.com/aFDSGuGpP1
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) May 14, 2024