By Johnathan Paoli
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has expressed its gratitude to South Africans who cast their special votes across the globe.
The commission said that special votes were designed to ensure that citizens who would otherwise not be able to vote have opportunities to do so.
The final day of a voting weekend was arranged in partnership with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) involving 111 South African missions internationally that made sure an estimated 78 000 people voted.
IEC Chair Mosotho Moepya thanked the DIRCO staff for “going above and beyond their daily call of duty to facilitate the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy by citizens abroad”.
“This is a testament to the meticulous logistics, planning, and execution of those plans,” he said.
The South African mission in London was specifically authorszed to remain open on Sunday until 9pm to cater for the more than 24 000 registered citizens.
South African deputy high commissioner in the United Kingdom Dineo Mathlako said in an interview with South African media, said that 70 staff working inside South Africa House with another 20 individuals working outside, making it the biggest staffed voting station.
The IEC cautioned any reports on voter turnout should be treated as unconfirmed and any analysis of the reports speculative, as the ballots may only be counted after the close of voting stations in South Africa on 29 May.
The commission said that all ballots cast as well as unused ballot papers from all the missions are expected to be transported via a secure channel back to the country, with the necessary verification and counting of the ballots taking place in the presence of representatives of contestants and observers.
Next on the list for the commission is preparing for the in-country special voting, which will take place two days before election day. There are approximately 1.7 million approved special votes, 635 000 of which are home visit, and over 1 million at designated stations.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) commended South Africans residing abroad for participating in the democratic process. Party leader John Steenhuisen said that their contribution was a testament to the love for the country and a shared desire to rescue the nation from decades of corruption from the ruling-party.
“Witnessing our democracy in action, even on the other side of the world, is the most wonderful and heartening reminder of how seriously South Africans value our democracy, and how much we care about the future of our country,” Steenhuisen said.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said he was pleased that South Africans abroad had come out in numbers to vote.
He said he hoped that they do the right thing and vote for a progressive party, so they can be able to return home.
“Many of them left our country, because they were not comfortable with what is happening today. So they need to know that this is their home, they can come back if they vote for a party who cares for South Africa,” Malema said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier called on foreign-based South Africans who are eligible and registered to vote to go out and exercise their constitutional right and civic duty to do so.
“By voting, you are taking responsibility of your future and the future of your community. Your vote is important, your vote counts,” President Ramaphosa said.
The International Relations department, expressed its satisfaction of the process, by sharing footage of voting stations in Turkey, Japan and Canada.
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