Lentswe, Klerksdorp - South Africans living abroad voted in missions around the world this past weekend. The Electoral Commission expressed its gratitude to the scores of South Africans who voted from May 17 to 19 in the 2024 National Elections. Around 78 000 citizens living overseas could vote in 111 South African missions across the world.
In some instances, voters had to endure intemperate weather, wait in queues for extended periods, and travel significant distances. In the USA, former Klerksdorpian Ylani Stoltz and her husband, Ryk drove 15 hours to Washington DC to cast their vote “hoping for a better future’’.
The Commission confirmed that overall, special voting abroad proceeded smoothly with no major incidents. 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. The mission in London was the only voting station open on Sunday to cater for the more than 24 000 voters who are registered and approved to vote at that mission.
The ballots may only be counted after the close of voting stations in South Africa on May 29. 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, were 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 May 17. 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 May 29.
