OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 2.00pm.
THE New National Party and the Federal Alliance on Wednesday vowed to press ahead with their court actions, despite IEC rulings that registered South Africans living abroad can vote in the June 2 elections.
The IEC regulations — which have yet to be officially made public — are expected to be gazetted on Friday.
New NP legal head Andre Gaum said: “Our position remains the same — the majority of South Africans living abroad will still be excluded from voting. We know the majority of them have not registered, as they were not in the country at the time of registration.”
Itis also unclear whether people who are outside the country will be able to vote for representatives in the provincial legislatures, Gaum added. If this is not the case, they will only be able to “cast half a vote” — for the National Assembly — and this would be in conflict with the constitution.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) approved overseas voting in line with Cabinet recommendations on Wednesday.
Regulations governing the June 2 election will allow South Africans living abroad to vote in the poll provided they are registered, IEC chair Brigalia Bam said.
This move is likely to reduce the number of court cases against the IEC by political parties who were attempting to extend voting rights, Bam told journalists at the South African Council of Churches Conference.
The New National Party previously announced its intention to fight for overseas voters’ rights in court. It remains to be seen whether the IEC’s new policy will satisfy the NNP.
The regulations are expected to be gazetted on Friday.