International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has welcomed the agreement between her department and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) about South African diplomatic missions abroad being used for registration and voting.
The cooperation agreement was signed on Friday by DIRCO Director-General Kgabo Mahoai and IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.
The agreement gives effect to the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, allowing South Africans living abroad to register and vote at a South African embassy, high commission or consulate closest to them.
“The signing of the cooperation agreement makes it possible for South African citizens abroad to exercise their constitutional rights.
“Our Constitution provides in section 19 (2) that every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution,” said Sisulu.
Since the national and provincial elections of 1999, DIRCO has assisted the IEC with the voting of South African citizens abroad.
Ahead of the national and provincial elections of 2014, and following the amendments to the Electoral Act, DIRCO extended its assistance to include voter registration applications through missions abroad.
In terms of the agreement, the department shall avail the premises of the missions for registration, voting and any other function that needs to be performed for successful voter registration and voting on the designated days and times. –SAnews.gov.za
