Court rules in favour of DA for IEC to set up voting stations abroad

IEC

Cape Town — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has won it’s case against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to set up more voting stations abroad so expats can vote in this year’s elections.

The DA took the IEC to court in February this year to request all embassies, consulates and high commissions to be included as voting stations for the upcoming elections on 29 May. The decision comes on the back of South Africans living in Perth, Australia were unable to cast their ballots at an honorary consulate near them, instead having to move to Australia’s capital, Canberra, EWN reported.

The DA argued that South African living abroad were hours away from consulates and high commissions and should be able to vote at honorary consulates, but the IEC flagged this as being “impractical” as the consulates were not official state offices and it must be determined if they can house free and fair elections.

According to TimesLIVE, the DA argued that the position by the IEC was unlawful and irrational. The Electoral Court set the IEC’s decision aside by confirming the word “consulate” in the Electoral Act included those headed by honorary consuls.

“The Electoral Court has now confirmed this position. For the more than 40,000 South Africans living in Perth, as well as other cities where this judgment will be effective, this is an enormous victory. The DA will monitor the IEC to ensure the practical implementation of this decision as well as to confirm the number and location of additional voting stations,” said DA federal chairperson, Helen Zille.

South Africans living in Perth and other cities can move their registration status to the new voting stations until 22 April.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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