Cape Town – The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reported that over 18 000 South Africans living in 101 countries have begun registering to vote in the upcoming elections using the online registration portal.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo on Thursday provided South Africans with an update on the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) preparedness for the registration weekend for citizens residing abroad.
The registration weekend is scheduled from January 26 to 28, contingent upon the weekend structure in each respective country.
“The Electoral Commission has enabled online registration facility for the first time to allow South Africans outside the country to easily register for the forthcoming 2024 national elections,” The Citizen quoted Mamabolo as saying.
Over 18 000 South Africans living abroad have so far, registered to vote. The majority – 5900 – are living in the UK, 1800 in the Netherlands, 1068 in the UAE, 821 in the US, 675 in Ireland, 746 in Germany, 588 in Australia and 515 in China. LD #IEC #Elections2024
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 25, 2024
The countries with the highest online registrations include the UK, Netherlands, Germany, US, Ireland, UAE, China, Australia, New Zealand, and Cuba.
The IEC hopes that the online registration system will attract more citizens living outside the country, as it aims to facilitate the participation of South Africans abroad in the democratic process.
[WATCH] Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo announces that South Africans living abroad can register online to vote in the 2024 general elections.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/YZgqbktDrD
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 25, 2024
Voters can register online or in person at South African missions, embassies, and consulates, provided they have a South African ID document and passport.
Temporary closures of three embassies (Israel, Sudan, and Ukraine) due to security concerns have been noted, and citizens in those countries are encouraged to use the online portal for registration.
Countries leading in online registrations are:
- UK – 5,900
- Netherlands – 1,800
- Germany – 746
- US – 821
- Ireland – 675
- UAE – 1,068
- China 515
- Australia – 588
- New Zealand – 314
- Cuba 293
- Portugal – 284
- Belgium – 280
Across Africa, South Africans have initiated the registration process in 28 nations
- Mauritius – 316
- Lesotho – 224
- Namibia – 148
- Botswana – 170
- Zambia- 96
- Zimbabwe – 77
- Kenya – 73
- Ghana – 45
- Tanzania – 40
#Elections2024 Over 18 000 South Africans living abroad have registered to vote so far.
UK: 5938
Netherlands: 1844
Germany: 746#eNCA pic.twitter.com/xmFBmxqAdU— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) January 25, 2024
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Source: AFP
Picture: Supplied
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