I've become aware that many expats are unsure of the recent Constitutional Court ruling that expats may vote in the April 22 election.
Forget every rumour, advice or suggestion you have heard, here are the facts:
If you are a South African citizen overseas for whatever reason - forget the previous limited restrictions - YOU MAY VOTE.
The IEC has re-opened the registration process to expats for just 15 days (13 days left to go). To vote you need to do the following in sequence:
1. Check that you appear on the IEC registrar. Click here to check. If you were registered for any previous elections, your name will appear and therefore you qualify. If your name does not appear, you will not be able to vote this time.
2. If you are registered, you then need to apply for a SPECIAL VOTE by filling in form VEC10 and faxing or emailing it to the IEC. In order to fill in form VEC10, you need to check the location of your nearest consulate as it will ask for this detail on the form. You cannot vote elsewhere once you have submitted the form.
3. Fill in form VEC10 and fax it to the IEC (fax: +27 12 428 5566 or +27 12 428 5279) or email it to the IEC (vec10@elections.org.za) - and may I suggest also email it to the DA (global@da.org.za) or the Freedom Front Plus FF+ (dalien@vf.co.za) who have assured people that they will guarantee the form is faxed or hand-delivered to the IEC. I wouldn't bet that there are not people at the IEC who won't tear up your application when they see it is from an expat. Do this even if you do not intend voting for the DA or alternatively get in touch with the political party you intend voting for to see if they will assist you.
4. The IEC will check that you are registered and advise the consulate that you will be voting.
5. On April 15, not April 22, only expats will vote. On April 15th, take your green ID and your passport and go to the consulate. Fill in a form VEC1 at the consulate and cast your vote.
That's it. If you have any questions, send them to me and I will gladly assist.
From the DA website:
TIPS ON HOW TO FILL IN THE VEC10 FORM
The VEC10 form can be quite confusing due to the fact that it was designed for voters who live in South Africa, and are only leaving the country for a short while.
Here a few tips on what information you should provide when filling in the various sections of the form:1) Election Date and Voting District: Do not worry too much about filling in these details. The IEC should be able to fill these in for you.
2) Abroad at the South African/Embassy/High Commission/Consulate in: you obviously fill in the mission you will be voting at.
3) I will leave the Republic/left the Republic on: this is the date you left the republic to go live abroad.
4) The purpose of my temporary absence is: you must fill in the reason for why your are currently living overseas; for example, on a working holiday visa etc.
5) I am ordinarily resident in the Republic at the following address: this is the address where you are currently registered at in South Africa. In other words the place you lived at when you last voted or registered in a previous election.
6) My temporary address abroad on election day will be: you must fill in the address that you are currently living at abroad.
However, if you still have queries you can email global@da.org.za and we will do our best to assist you.
Make sure you get your forms in by midnight on 27 February March 2009!
10 Opinion(s):
Did you mean by midnight on the 27 MARCH for the forms to be in???
Yes, fill in form VEC10, email or fax to the IEC by midnight of 27 March 2009.
Doberman check your post, think you need to edit the date on the last line, it reads Feb, think you meant to say 'March'
@ anon 10:14
Much obliged. That bottom portion is a straight cut/paste from the DA's website ;o) so they have it wrong.I just never checked the month, actually what fu*king day is it? ;o)
What happens if you are on holiday in South Africa on the 15th April?
@ Gareth
The vote inside SA takes place on April 22. If you happen to be in SA on April 22, you don't need a Special Vote and you must just go vote where you are registered.
April 15th is the date of voting for SAns outside the country - for whatever reason - in which case, that is what the Special Vote application is for.
Contact me if you need further help. Click my avatar or mail to: dobermansa@gmail.com
So if I am there on the 15th but not on the 22nd I cant vote.
Yes. People on the outside will be casting their vote on the 15th while you are inside SA and conversely, doing the same on the 22nd when you are out. Can't you extend your stay?
No, leaving on the 16th. That is upsetting, we should be able to vote on the 22nd as well.
Yep. We should be able to send in postal votes, vote online etc but no, that will take another court decision to force the IEC/ANC to allow it.
Post a Comment