IEC says increasing number of international voting stations in upcoming polls unlikely
The commission in court argued that the ruling to extend its stations and include South Africa’s over 130 honorary consulates would be impractical.
Picture: Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - With 13 days left before the country heads to the polls, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has indicated it’s unlikely to increase the number of voting stations for the upcoming elections overseas, despite a court ruling.
In April, the Electoral Court ruled in favour of an application brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) for the IEC to extend its stations and include honorary consulates.
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The IEC has since challenged that decision in the Constitutional Court.
The IEC has set up voting stations in 111 foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world.
The commission has argued in court that it would be impractical to set up stations and train staff in South Africa’s more than 130 honorary consuls.
Chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said they’re appealing the Electoral Court ruling.
“The effect of that appeal is to suspend the order of the Electoral Court. So, until the matter is ventilated and determined in an appeal, the order of the Electoral Court is suspended.”
While the Constitutional Court is yet to set a date to hear the IEC’s appeal, voting at international stations will begin on Friday.