Expat Figures Low as Last Chance to Register to Vote Looms

The IEC (Electoral Commission of South Africa) have released very disappointing figures on the number of expats who have registered to vote so far. Less than 4,000. This must certainly be a reflection on the decision – whether intentional or not – to make it so difficult for expats to register.

Australia is by far the worst case, where most expats live in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane. Yet they are not able to register or vote in any of those centres!

Instead they have to travel to the far less popular city of Canberra –  3,719 km away from Perth; 1,199 km from Brisbane and 300 km from Sydney.

Did the government know this when they selected Canberra? Or were they ignorant of the fact? (SAPeople have asked, but so far the government has only sent us their mandate.)

And for most South Africans abroad they have to make this trip twice – firstly to register in person, and secondly to vote in person.

Those in Vancouver in Canada, Auckland in New Zealand, the whole of Cyprus and many other countries have been left in a similar frustrating position – to be given the privilege to vote without the access to do so.

According to the IEC, they have received 3,703 applications for registration from about 70 missions in foreign countries. Promisingly, they are “still receiving more each day and processing these”.

The highest number of applications have come from London, Dubai and Cuba. Of course not from the very out-of-reach Canberra!

In total (counting those in South Africa), 24.1 million have registered to vote! That’s 76.7 % of the estimated voting age population which, according to Stats SA is 31.4 million.

The IEC also said in their press release that “our efforts have also been directed to prisoners who are also afforded the right to vote by our Constitution and election legislation. Registration in South Africa’s 235 correctional facilities began on 5 February. ”

For those who aren’t prisoners…

YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER TO VOTE:

Expats:
Registering ends at close of day tomorrow, Friday 07 February

Locals (in SA):
Final chance to register is this weekend – 08-09 February.
All 22 263 voting stations throughout the country will be open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday

To register voters must visit their correct voting station where they ordinarily live armed with a valid South African ID document – either a green barcoded ID, a new smartcard ID or a temporary ID certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

To find out the location of their correct voting station eligible voters can:
Use the Voting Station Finder APP on www.elections.org.za.
Call the IEC Call Centre on 0800 11 8000. Open from 7am to 9pm every day this week including Saturday and Sunday.

Voters who are already registered can check their registration details including which voting station they are registered at by SMSing their ID number to 32810.