IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo. Image: SABC News.
Overseas voters in war zone countries may not be able to vote: IEC
IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo says overseas based voters are encouraged to register using the online portal facility.
IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo. Image: SABC News.
South Africans living abroad in Israel, Ukraine, and Sudan may be unable to vote in the upcoming national elections due to ongoing violent conflicts. This was announced on Thursday by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The IEC said it was informed by the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation (Dirco) that the department had closed its missions in the three countries due to security concerns.
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IEC: SA VOTERS IN CONCLICT-TORN COUNTRIES AFFECTED
Israel is engaged in a war in Gaza that has been described as genocide by the South African government, while Ukraine is warring with Russia over the invasion of some of its territories. Sudan is also engaged in a war believed to be over access to the contested Red Sea.
“The Department of International Relations and Co-Operation (Dirco) has informed us that three missions, Israel, Sudan, and Ukraine, have been temporarily closed due to security concerns,” said Sy Mamabolo, the IEC chief electoral officer.
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ONLINE REGISTRATION TO BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME
He said the IEC had, for the first time, enabled an online registration facility to allow South Africans outside the country to register for the 2024 elections easily.
The commission said over 18 469 South African citizens living in 101 countries worldwide had started registering to vote in the upcoming elections. They are encouraged to use the newly launched online registration portal system.
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IEC LACKS ELECTRONIC VOTING CAPACITY: MAMABOLO
“We will take the best steps to ensure everyone participates in this democratic process. We encourage citizens in these countries to register using the online portal,” said Mamabolo.
He said that unless the situation changes in the coming months, it will be impossible for the IEC to make the logistical arrangements required to allow South Africans living in those countries to vote manually. Mamabolo said the electoral body currently lacks electronic voting capacity.
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MAJORITY OF OVERSEAS VOTERS IN THE UK AND NETHERLANDS
“Should the situation in those countries abate, the citizens would be registered and ready to vote if there’s a decision to reopen the missions.”
Most 18,469 South Africans living abroad are in the United Kingdom (UK) with 5938, the Netherlands with 1844, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with 1068 and the US at 821, respectively.
