SA voters abroad get go-ahead

[stix]

South Africans abroad should be allowed to vote, the Pretoria High Court ruled on Monday.

Handing down judgment, Acting Judge Piet Ebersohn ruled that the current legislation infringed on the rights of South Africans living abroad.

The court ruled that the electoral act "limited" the casting of votes to people temporarily living abroad. It referred the judgment to the Constitutional Court for confirmation.

The Independent Electoral Commission was also ordered to change its voting procedures so as to allow South Africans living abroad to vote.

Speaking outside the court, Freedom Front Plus spokesperson Willie Spies said the Constitutional Court could overrule the judgment.

The FF Plus brought the application on behalf of a South African school teacher living in the United Kingdom.

Currently certain groups, including government employees and people on holiday and business trips, could have arrangements made for special votes.

The party would file an application in the Pretoria High Court asking that the proclamation of the voting day be postponed to allow the Constitutional Court ample time to consider the matter.

The application was expected to be heard shortly after midday. - Sapa

Linakge

 

[Albereth]

Are these FF people nuts? I mean, big up on getting the court ruling, but do we really want the voting day delayed? Yes, I know it keeps Zuma out but do we really want to allow anyone to be able to stop the elections? For whatever reason?

This is scary talk.

 

[EtienneK]

Are these FF people nuts? I mean, big up on getting the court ruling, but do we really want the voting day delayed? Yes, I know it keeps Zuma out but do we really want to allow anyone to be able to stop the elections? For whatever reason?

This is scary talk.

I'm all for it.

 

[Peon]

I dont see why its scary. I see it as getting all the ducks in a row before proceeding.

 

[HBee]

Yeah!!!! Slowly we are moving away from the ANC's version of equality for all and onto the version in the constitution.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

This is a good move by the court. It should be upheld in the Constitutional Court because as I understand it, the Constitution says 'every South African citizen should be eligible to vote'. It does not specify where the person should be.

 

[marine1]

Excellent news, the ANC must be ***** ting themselves. 2 million odd people who may now vote for another party.

Well done to the court.

 

[TheHiveMind]

Are they going to register? Do they even know they can vote?

 

[JungleBoy]

Are they going to register? Do they even know they can vote?

... a further question is, do they even care?

 

[Peon]

... a further question is, do they even care?

Ahh, excellent observation. I fear many expats when moving might view the country as a lost cause and reason, "Why bother". I hope i am wrong though.

 

[HBee]

.... And will the IEC be able to handle/process the votes comming in from abroad ?

 

[HBee]

... a further question is, do they even care?

I think many of them care a great deal as they have family here.

 

[gregmcc]

"The staff at the voting stations would have to be independent therefore no government workers could be used, the IEC would have to send independent workers to each country.

Better quickly sign up to be a IEC employee!

 

[marine1]

Busy mailing anyone I know overseas.

 

[Fuma]

This ruling is interesting because we just had our "final" (I stand corrected) registration this past weekend. I hope IEC will make plans for those who haven't registered to do so. I wonder.

 

[Inertia]

Better quickly sign up to be a IEC employee!

It occurs at the South African embassy as far as Im aware. That's how the Americans voted in SA.

 

[marine1]

just shows how the ANC/IEC (Yes I see them as the same) acted against the constitution of this country yet again.

 

[Jase]

Awesome, I can get my vote in then

 

[semiautomatix]

"This will be an added burden to the tax payer as it is very expensive to fly them and accommodate the workers... the number of staff required in each country or city will depend on how many potential voters are in each city," she said.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20090209153856325C916254

Well what about that R300million we just threw at Zim which is now being misused by Zanu-PF? Is that not a burden on the tax payer, could we not have used that instead? What about all the money for renaming of streets, or would we rather disenfranchise individuals so we can name a road after a bomber that killed innocent people in the 80s?

Messed up set of priorities IMO.

 

[grayston]

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20090209153856325C916254

Pitso said a nod from the Constitutional Court on the ruling meant the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) would have to ascertain how many potential voters there were in each country across the globe.

This is itself would be a "hassle", she said.

Awwww!!! Does anyone have a small violin?