Johannesburg - South African expatriates will be able to vote on Wednesday, the international relations department said.
“People are going to be voting tomorrow (on Wednesday),” spokesman Clayson Monyela said on Tuesday after dismissing a report by The Times that voters living abroad would not be able to vote because of a government communication botch-up.
The newspaper reported there was a miscommunication attributed to the department and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to tell expats they needed to complete a form if they wanted to vote.
SA High Commissioner to Ghana Jeanette Ndhlovu reportedly said the error created a “problem everywhere”.
“I've been in touch with my colleagues at other embassies and many other expats also failed to submit the VEC10 forms on time. It will not be possible for them to vote,” she was quoted as saying.
Monyela said this was not true.
“Elections are run by an independent body, not by government… All the information related to the elections, whether it's here or abroad, is communicated by the IEC,” he explained.
IEC spokeswoman Kate Bapela said she would look into the matter to get the correct information and issue a statement soon. - Sapa