Update: Results of the 2019 National Elections in the North West Region
Heyo there! It's time to mark your calendars, fellow South Africans, because on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, we're headed to the polls for our seventh national elections since '94. President Cyril Ramaphosa's made it official, y'all!
The last time we did this dance was back in 2019, but let's take a glance at how things went down in the North West province just as a reminder. We had a whopping 1,702,728 citizens registered to vote, and a total of 970,669 votes were cast. Out of that, 954,836 votes were valid, with 15,833 spoilt votes. And our voter turnout? A respectable 57.01%.
Now, for our South African expats out there, here's a lowdown on how the voting process will go down for the 2024 elections:
- Registration: Y'all need to register to vote, and as per May 5, 2024, a cool 78,092 South Africans have registered to vote from abroad, with major concentrations in London, The Hague, and the UAE.
- Voting Method: The voting abroad process is considered a special vote, and expats can only participate in the national elections, not in the regional or provincial elections.
- Identification Requirements: To cast their ballots, expats need to present a valid South African ID book, a smart card ID, or a valid temporary identity certificate at their chosen voting station.
- Voting Stations: Special voting stations have been designated worldwide for South African expats. The 2024 elections will have voting abroad happening on May 18, 2024.
- Ballot Structure: Although the voting process will be the same for everyone, the ballots themselves will be structured differently for the National Assembly elections in 2024. Expats will be voting using the national ballot only, as they are not eligible for the regional ballot used in provincial elections.
So, there you have it! The process emphasizes the importance of expats registering in advance and sticking to specific voting dates and identification requirements to make their voices heard in the 2024 national elections. Good luck, South Africa!
In light of the upcoming national elections in South Africa on May 29, 2024, it's vital for South African expats to be aware of the voting process, as they too have a chance to participate. With special voting stations set up worldwide, they can register, present a valid South African ID, and cast their votes, similar to the general-news events of past elections, albeit with a streamlined ballot structure for the National Assembly elections.
