South Africans living abroad have shown strong participation in the general elections, with many turning out in different countries across the globe to cast their votes.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), over 78,000 South Africans applied for special votes abroad.
Voting commenced yesterday in cities such as Algiers, Amman, Cairo, Kuwait City, Jeddah, Ramallah, Riyadh, and Tehran. Today, South Africans in other countries are continuing to cast their ballots.
The queue at #SouthAfrica🇿🇦 House in #London is now longer. 2nd day of voting. #SAVotingAbroad #GeneralElections2024 pic.twitter.com/h1KuiTINQM
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) May 18, 2024
Done and dusted.🗳️🇿🇦🇨🇭. #SAelections2024 #SAvotingabroad pic.twitter.com/xSKFQrqDMx
— Kay✨ (@Real_Popompo) May 18, 2024
London has the largest population of South African voters abroad, with over 24,000 registered. Given this large number, the IEC has allocated two days for special voting in London, scheduled for Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 07:00 to 21:00.
The IEC has also extended voting hours at the missions in Washington DC and New York to accommodate more voters on Saturday, May 18. The extended hours are from 07:00 to 21:00.
Other cities with significant South African voter populations include:
- The Hague: 6,659
- Canberra: 3,674
- Dubai: 3,266
- Dublin: 3,040
- Wellington: 2,292
- Abu Dhabi: 1,825
- Washington DC: 1,799
- Berlin: 1,476
The IEC’s measures ensure that South Africans abroad have ample opportunity to participate in the democratic process and make their voices heard in the general elections.
Voting done and dusted in Seoul, 🇰🇷 #SAelections24 #SAVotingAbroad @IECSouthAfrica 🇿🇦❎💚 pic.twitter.com/cyVqkNEAzT
— Meryl Teacher, PhD | ESL (@meryljoyedit) May 18, 2024
🇿🇦🗳️Voted in Paris📍#SAElections #SAElections24 #SAVotingAbroad @RSAinFrance pic.twitter.com/cNOACKFyps
— Cait 🇿🇦🌻 (@cviiitie) May 18, 2024
