SOUTH Africa’s 146000 prisoners will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming general election. The Pretoria High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application by the South African Prison Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) to allow prisoners to register to vote in the poll, expected in late May. Cabinet decided last year that prisoners will not be allowed to vote because of budget restrictions. Judge Johan Els said the predicament of prisoners is of their own making — they have deprived themselves of the right to vote, he said.The ruling applies to 92000 and 54000 awaiting-trial prisoners. SAPOHR plans a constitutional court appeal.