admin
JOHANNESBURG. — Special voting kicked off yesterday with electoral commission chairperson Pansy Tlakula expressing confidence that general elections would proceed smoothly tomorrow. She said special votes were under way countrywide and home visits were also being conducted.“Elections have started in earnest and we are ready for Wednesday (tomorrow),” she told the media after casting her special vote at the Orange Grove Primary School in Johannesburg.
Tlakula took the time to clarify the confusion related to the campaigning by political parties over the next two days.
She said parties could campaign until midnight today but no political event would take place tomorrow.
“Special voting days are not regarded as (official) voting days as proclaimed by the president. Campaigning can take place until then (Tuesday midnight),” she said.
Meanwhile, the IEC on Sunday urged South Africans not take ‘selfies’ in the ballot booth or of their ballot papers during tomorrow’s elections.
“It is an offence to take and/or publish photographs which reveal a person’s vote on a ballot paper. Upon conviction offenders will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year,” said IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela.
She said that while it was not viable to take away all voters’ cellphones as they entered the booths, the organisation asked people to respect the law.
Bapela said there had been instances of overseas voters taking such photographs as well as apparent social media campaigns promoting the action.
“Voters may take photographs of themselves outside the voting station and of their inked thumbs to show their participation.” — Sapa.
Online Reporter