The Independent Electoral Commission on Thursday appealed to South Africans living abroad to notify the body of their intention to vote.This followed a Constitutional Court ruling handed down on Thursday allowing registered voters living overseas to vote for the national assembly in the April 22 elections.
South African citizens living abroad who are not yet registered will not be allowed to vote.
"We appeal to all South Africans affected by this ruling to immediately utilise this opportunity to notify the Chief Electoral Officer of their intention to vote," the IEC said in a statement.
The commission said it was "satisfied" that it would be able to manage the process.
"The fact that only registered voters will be able to utilise the 15-day period of application for special votes as decided by the Court is within the IEC's operational ability," it said.
Registered voters living abroad have until March 27 to notify the IEC of their intention to vote and of the embassy they would prefer to vote at.
South Africans who will be abroad on April 22 have to notify the commission by March 27 should they wish to vote at their voting station on April 20 or 21.
The commission said voters who were affected by the ruling should visit the website: www.elections.org.za to complete the necessary forms.
Source : Sapa /nm/ml
Date : 12 Mar 2009 18:15
