Dear South African Voter
Owing to the high number of registered voters coupled with VEC 10 applications for the United Kingdom, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has determined extended hours and an additional day to process the approximate 25 000 South Africans who have declared their intention to participate. The high number is encouraging against the backdrop of a global democratic recession.
Given the volumes the following has been determined:
- Voting will take place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2024 (LONDON ONLY)
- Venue – South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DP, United Kingdom
- Voting hours for London has furthermore been extended and has been determined from 7am – 9pm (London time)
- Duncannon street (side street) will be closed for traffic and buses on Saturday during the whole day to allow for queuing. Sidewalks will however be open for pedestrians on foot.
- On Sunday we will have a partial closure (one lane open) of Duncannon.
- We appeal to voters who are able to use the Saturday , 18 May to do so, using the 14 hours available owing to the limited road closure on Sunday, 19 May.
- It is normal to want to vote as early as possible and this inevitably causes early morning queues before 7 am. We appeal to voters to appreciate that a queue can only be processed as from the time that voting opens.
- Voters can assist in the process by using all the hours available instead of everyone rushing to queue in the early morning.
- Below is a poster with two QR codes. The first is for those who have registered for the London Mission segment of the voters roll and the second QR code is for those registered on the domestic segment or elsewhere internationally and who notified the Chief Electoral Officer of their intention to vote abroad, commonly referred to as the VEC 10.
In order to facilitate faster processing of voters we will be employing technology to speed up the Voting processing time.
- You can assist by validating if you are eligible by scanning the applicable QR code. (this will also be available as a poster whilst in the queue).
- A sample ballot will also be on display outside the voting station so that you may acquaint yourself with the choices on offer.
- The process starts with the scanning of your barcode on the ID or Smartcard.
- Your thumb will be inked.
- You will receive the national ballot and two envelopes, and a voting official will write your details on the larger envelope.
- Proceed to the ballot booth to mark your choice on the ballot.
- You will use the smaller blank or unmarked envelope to insert your ballot after marking your choice.
- You will then seal your envelope.
- You will insert the smaller unmarked envelope containing the marked ballot into the larger envelope.
- The final step is to place your envelope into the ballot box.
Why the two-envelope system and is my vote secret?
- Votes are not counted in London.
- Your marked ballots are sealed and dispatched to South Africa via diplomatic courier bag in the presence of party agents and observers.
- Party agents may also record seal numbers and place their own seals or markings on smaller packaging that goes into the diplomatic bag.
- Diplomatic bags are opened in the presence of party agents at the IEC national office.
- A verification using the details on the outer envelope is made to ensure that all those who cast their ballot were indeed valid (Registered or VEC 10).
- The outer envelopes are then discarded and all blank envelopes for Missions across the world are combined.
- A count is then performed after removing the ballot from the envelope in the presence of party agents.
- The result is then captured against the international Voting district and taken into account in the results system.