The
Electoral Commission expresses gratitude to South Africans who cast special
votes in missions around the world on 17 to 19 May for the 2024 National
Elections.
Special
votes are by their nature designed to ensure that special measures are put in
place to make certain that citizens who would otherwise not be able to vote
have opportunities to do so. Such special measures have been implemented
between 17 and 18 May 2024 in 111 South African missions across the world to
facilitate voting by around 78 000 citizens.
The
arrangements would not be possible without the support of the Department of
International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the dedication of the staff
of the the department and heads of missions around the world. The staff of the
department were particularly singled out for appreciation by the Chairperson of
the Commission Mr Mosotho Moepya “for going above and beyond their daily call
of duty to facilitate the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy by citizens
abroad”.
Appreciation
is also due to voters who in some instances had to endure intemperate weather,
wait in queues for extended periods, and travel significant distances. In many stations,
a steady flow of voters was reported throughout the day with some missions only
closing some two hours beyond their scheduled operating hours. Notwithstanding,
voters still expressed gratitude on social media and other platforms for the
seamless voting experience and level of service they received at stations.
The
Commission confirms that overall, special voting abroad proceeded smoothly with
no major incidents. This is a testament to the meticulous logistics, planning,
and execution of those plans across all missions.
The
mission in London is the only voting station that will remain open today,
Sunday, 19 May 2024 until 21h00 in order to cater for the more than 24 000
voters who are registered and approved to vote at that mission.
At
this stage, any reports on voter turn out should be treated as unconfirmed.
Analysis of the reports would be speculative. The ballots may only be counted
after the close of voting stations in the country on 29 May. Only then may the
Commission communicate definitively on turnout for the election.
All
ballots cast as well as unused ballot papers from all the 111 missions, will
now be transported via a secure channel back to the country. The necessary
verifications and counting of the ballots will take place in the presence of
representatives of contestants and observers.
With
overseas voting completed, the Electoral Commission turns its attention to preparations
for the in-country special voting which will take place two days before
election day on May 27 and 28. There are 1,7 million approved special votes. 653 000
of these are home visit special votes while just over 1 million are voting
station special votes. In all, there is at least a single approved special vote
in 22 626 of the total 23 292 network of voting stations.
Voters
are urged to check their registration details and confirm the location of their
correct voting stations ahead of election day by using the following channels:
- Online
at www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information
- SMSing
their ID number to 32810
- Contact
centre on 0800 11 8000.
- The
IEC APP downloadable from AppStore
The
Electoral Commission re-emphasises the general principle that voters may only
vote at a voting station at which they are not registered if they have
pre-notified the Commission. The period of pre-notification closed on Friday 17
May 2024. With capturing yet to be completed, indications are that at least
387 000 voters have pre-notified the Commission of their intention to vote
at another identified voting station. These voters will cast their ballots on
29 May 2024.
It’s your democracy; own it!
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible elections
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Please email requests to: [email protected]
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