Update: Voting from outside SA

[louwtjiedt]

Hi,

I'm currently in Germany on a temporary working permit. I would just like to know if anyone has an update on whether we can vote in the up coming elections from outside SA?

Thanks for the help...

 

[ToxicBunny]

My guess is No..... but you need to check with the embassy in your area.

 

[Ghazi]

The ANC will resist it tooth and nail, like they've done in the past, because they know most of those abroad will vote for change.

 

[bekdik]

Currently the only people outside of the normal South African society allowed to vote are convicted criminals.

Normal passport holding citizens not in the republic are excluded from this democratic process.

 

[JungleBoy]

Yes and NO depending on your reasons for being overseas. Here is the explanation given on the IEC website.

You can apply for a special vote. You can vote only if your absence from the South Africa falls into the following categories:

1) Absence from the South Africa on government service or living in the household of such a person;

2) Temporary absence from South Africa if on a holiday, a business trip, attendance at a tertiary institution or educational visit and partaking in an international sports event. Refer to the section on Special Votes on the Website for more information.

 

[thinga]

I don't think you can, but it is actually unconstitutional as every South African has the right to vote!

 

[louwtjiedt]

Update

OK, just got an update from a friend in Munich who works there as a diplomat. He say that they are allowed to vote (got special permission) but we as normal citizens not. They can't do anything about that, but apparently, there is a court case going on at the moment regarding this.

If the case is won, we can vote by going to the local embassy. But, there also was a previous court case which was lost on the same grounds. So, I guess, we have to hold thumbs...

Thanks!

 

[JungleBoy]

I don't think you can, but it is actually unconstitutional as every South African has the right to vote!

Is it not fair to say the constitution of SA will only guarantee your rights as long as you are within SA borders.
If you feel so passionate about your constitutional right to vote, you should pop in on election day, cast your vote and then bugger off again.

 

[Frankie]

Is it not fair to say the constitution of SA will only guarantee your rights as long as you are within SA borders.

You got any links?

 

[kilps]

Is it not fair to say the constitution of SA will only guarantee your rights as long as you are within SA borders.
If you feel so passionate about your constitutional right to vote, you should pop in on election day, cast your vote and then bugger off again.

Wait small problem - while in SA you also need to abide by the constitution; so if the constitution says all citizens have the right to vote then the IEC has to provide that because they are operating under SA law...

Take a look at the posts at http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/ - there are a few on this topic

 

[JungleBoy]

Wait small problem - while in SA you also need to abide by the constitution; so if the constitution says all citizens have the right to vote then the IEC has to provide that because they are operating under SA law...
Take a look at the posts at http://constitutionallyspeaking.co.za/ - there are a few on this topic

The IEC does provide every citizen with the right and means to vote. You just have to go to a polling station. If you can't make it then there's always next time.

 

[CyraxHB]

It is blatantly obvious why those of us outside of the country aren't allowed to vote. Its because we are mostly white and are not likely to vote for the ANC. Mugabe did the same thing.

 

[CyraxHB]

The IEC does provide every citizen with the right and means to vote. You just have to go to a polling station. If you can't make it then there's always next time.

Real democracies allow their citizens to vote no matter where in the world they live.

 

[Sneeky]

you 'should' be allowed to go to an embassy to cast your vote, it is only fair, but we all know the playing field is far from level when it comes to South Africa and it's citizens.
Is it not before the conccourt at the mo?

 

[JungleBoy]

It is blatantly obvious why those of us outside of the country aren't allowed to vote. Its because we are mostly white and are not likely to vote for the ANC. Mugabe did the same thing.

But the ANC doesn't run the elections, the IEC does. Or are you implying that our elections are not free and fair? If you feel that way, why do yo still want to vote?
You also assume that there are no black people overseas which is clearly not true.

 

[JungleBoy]

you 'should' be allowed to go to an embassy to cast your vote, it is only fair, but we all know the playing field is far from level when it comes to South Africa and it's citizens.
Is it not before the conccourt at the mo?

Let's wait and see how the concourt rules before we make our own judgements.

 

[grayston]

OK, just got an update from a friend in Munich who works there as a diplomat. He say that they are allowed to vote (got special permission) but we as normal citizens not. They can't do anything about that, but apparently, there is a court case going on at the moment regarding this.

Pff. Bitch at the embassy. Seriously. They are there to assist SA citizens overseas and they should be assisting with helping you to vote.

They will try to tell you that it is the IEC's decision, not theirs. Still, they have a duty to assist you in any way they can - and one of the things they can do is put more pressure on the IEC.

Whether it will do any good in the short-term is anyone's guess, but unless you have the money to go to the ConCourt, this is about the most constructive thing you can do.

 

[grayston]

...and my friendly embassy has just sent me this:

“Additional information on the voting of SA citizens outside of SA for Elections 2009 will be made available to the media once the courts rule on the matter. The IEC’s web site will be updated in this regard, and I am copying the IEC’s Communications dept on this mail to request them to please add your address to their list of organisations that receive media releases.”

Good for them - I will stop bugging them for a few days.

 

[CyraxHB]

But the ANC doesn't run the elections, the IEC does. Or are you implying that our elections are not free and fair? If you feel that way, why do yo still want to vote?
You also assume that there are no black people overseas which is clearly not true.

The Electoral Laws Amendment Act had to be passed through parliament. This obviously happened because the ANC has the majority.

Did you know that every Australian citizen 18 years or older has to vote in their federal elections. By law. Even if they live overseas. Their government is not scared to accept true democracy like ours.

I never said there were no blacks overseas but the vast majority are whites.

 

[Frankie]

The Electoral Laws Amendment Act had to be passed through parliament. This obviously happened because the ANC has the majority.

Did you know that every Australian citizen 18 years or older has to vote in their federal elections. By law. Even if they live overseas. Their government is not scared to accept true democracy like ours.

I never said there were no blacks overseas but the vast majority are whites.

True the vast majority of those abroad are whites who were forced to ply their skills on an even playing field abroad, in addition to avoiding the crime problem that the ANC clearly has no intention of tackling.
I have met a few non-white South African's working in the UK mainly in the medical profession, and I'm confident they too would not vote ANC if given the opportunity to vote.