Expats Demand A Vote

We commented recently about the unfairness of denying SA expats the right to vote. South African citizens who happen to live/ work / travel abroad at the time of an election may not vote.

It is a modern phenomenon that people work where their skills fetch top dollar. People also travel more. Most countries understand this and have ensured their citizens are able to cast their ballot as is their right to do so.

But not SA. Honest, law abiding, productive citizens are denied the right but criminals serving life sentences may vote. Like we've said before, it's a scam. Assume half of the one million expats cast their vote in favour of say, the DA and you can see what an enormous impact it would have on the ANC's majority - hence the decision not to allow it.

What pees me off is that the opposition wimps with the most to gain from expats voting do nothing to ensure that this sham is overturned - probably a simple appeal to the constitutional court may do the trick.

Sign the petition here to demand the right for South African citizens abroad to vote.

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South African citizens living, working or travelling abroad are not allowed to vote in the South African general elections, despite the fact that criminals in jail who committed serious crimes against humanity are allowed to vote in general elections.

It is illegal for the government and the IEC to withhold the voting rights of citizens abroad by not setting up voting stations in countries with numerous South African citizens like England, America, Canada, Australia etc. It certainly conflicts with their right to vote and may also conflict with the Electoral Act of 1998!

The only solution is for us to gather as much support as possible here in South Africa and abroad by South African citizens. We will then approach the relevant authorities and urge them to allow South African citizens abroad to vote at embassies.

Constitution of South Africa, 1996:

19 Political rights
(1) Every citizen is free to make political choices, which includes the right-
(a) to form a political party;
(b) to participate in the activities of, or recruit members for, a political
party;
and
(c) to campaign for a political party or cause.
(2) Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any
legislative body established in terms of the Constitution.
(3) Every adult citizen has the right-
(a) to vote in elections for any legislative body established in terms of
the Constitution, and to do so in secret; and
(b) to stand for public office and, if elected, to hold office.