I want to vote! Even though I have abandoned my country for the greener pastures of another. Even though I am not fighting against crime, a weakened economy and a shortage of job opportunities. Even though I am quite happy to let my country descend into an abyss of mediocrity inspired by a government that does not deliver on its promises. The apathy of a nation is reflected by the number of people who turn up to vote on Election Day. Suffragettes fought for this very right. Slaves fought for this very right. Minorities fought for this very right. One can argue that democracy is a fraud and that a vote is irrelevant. But that is irrelevant. So here’s the point: a vote signifies respect. Respect for those who were never able to have their say, and fought for it. A vote signifies your protest against that which you defy and your salute to that which you make your choice. Perhaps I have nullified my right to vote by leaving. But that too is irrelevant. I want to show my respect for the suffragettes and the slaves and the minorities. I want to enact my protest. I want to enact my choice. I want to be wanted Uncle Sam. What is suggested by a government that won’t let its citizens choose their leader? This same government, a government that fought and struggled to achieve its very right to be elected. Fuck you! That’s what the government says. Fuck You! Why do you think I live in London? At least the Fuck You! is more subtle here.
It’s all about Respect
– February 3, 2009Posted in: Comment
There arent many countries that allow prisoners to vote but not citizens abroad. As long as you are allowed/choose to be a citizen you should not be denied your chance to have your say. In fact, voting should be mandatory. At the very least you should lose your right to complain ever again if you choose not to take up your obligation to vote.
That said, there is always Churchill : “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter”
So you cant vote at the embassy on voting day? But the prisoners in Pollsmoor can? Something’s not right. And something needs to be done. Let’s hope April 09 sees a new dawn…. on a very, very dark country.
Sourced from the IEC website (www.elections.org.za) , for people who are outside SA during voting day….
d) South African citizens temporarily absent from the Republic and want to cast a special vote outside of South Africa
Are you temporarily absent from the Republic -
i. On holiday?
ii. Business trip?
iii. Attending a tertiary institution?
iv. On an education visit? or
v. Participating in an international sport event?
If you answered YES to any of the above and you know that you will not be in the country on Election Day, you will be able to apply for a special vote. You can apply to vote at one of the South African foreign mission outside of South Africa. The dates will be set out in the Election Timetable.
If your application is successful, you will cast your vote on the special voting day at your nearest foreign mission on the date as stated in the Election Timetable in the country you are visiting. You can call your nearest foreign mission to find out about the special voting day.
If NO, you do not qualify to apply for a special vote.
What if I am working outside South Africa?
If you are going to be outside South Africa on a work permit, you do not qualify for a special vote.
What if I have emigrated?
If you are a South African citizen living or going outside South Africa permanently (having emigrated), you will not qualify for a special vote.
What do I need to do?
1) Notify the IEC
You need to notify the Chief Electoral Officer of the following by completing a VEC10 form:
I. Your intention to vote;
II. Your intended absence from the Republic; and
III. The place where you intend to cast your vote.
The completed form must be delivered to the Chief Electoral Officer, either by hand, by post or by facsimile.
ADDRESS OF CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
Post notifications to:
P O Box 7943,
Pretoria,
0001,
South Africa
Fax notifications to:
(012) 428 5566
(012) 428 5279
Hand-deliver notifications to:
Election House,
260 Walker Street,
Sunnyside,
Pretoria.
This must be done within fifteen (15) days after the President has proclaimed the election. Failure to do so will result in you not being able to apply for a special vote.
2) You must indicate on the VEC10 form where you want to apply and cast your special vote i.e. at a foreign mission outside of South Africa. You cannot change the place where you indicated you want to vote after the expiry of the 15 day period referred to above.
3) Once the IEC receives your VEC10 form, the Chief Electoral Officer will then check whether you are registered as a voter, and then inform the foreign mission where you intend to vote, that you may apply for a special vote;
4) You go to the foreign mission during their office hours where you indicated you wish to vote (on the VEC10 form) on the day set aside in the Election Timetable for voting at foreign missions. Voting at foreign missions normally takes place 7 days before the election date in South Africa;
5) Take your green bar-coded identity document and passport along;
6) At the mission you will apply for a special vote by completing a VEC1 form form and produce your passport to the voting officer. The officer will in your presence consider your application, checking that you have been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer that you had notified her (VEC10 form) and that you can apply for a special vote;
7) If your application is successful, you must produce your identity document to the voting officer;
8) Your thumbnail will be marked with indelible ink, your identity document stamped and you will receive one ballot for National Assembly;
9) Once you have marked the ballot in secret, you must place and seal the ballot in an unmarked envelope and the unmarked envelope then get placed in another envelope that is marked outside with your name, identity number and voting district number. The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot;
10) The envelopes will be securely sealed and sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC. Your vote will be added to all other votes cast within South Africa.
e) If you want to cast your vote at the voting station in the voting district where you are registered before travelling outside South Africa.
Are you temporarily absent from the Republic -
I. On holiday?
II. Business trip?
III. Attending a tertiary institution?
IV.On an education visit? or
V. Participating in an international sporting event?
If you answered YES to any of the above and you know that you will not be in the country on Election Day, you will be able to apply for a special vote.
If your application is successful, you will cast your vote at your voting station in the voting district that you are registered on the special voting day(s) as stated in the Election Timetable before you depart. The special voting day(s) is normally scheduled two (2) days before the election date.
If NO, you do not qualify to apply for a special vote.
What if I am working outside South Africa?
If you are going to be outside South Africa on a work permit, you do not qualify for a special vote.
What if I have or are emigrating?
If you are a South African citizen living or going outside South Africa permanently (having emigrated), you will not qualify for a special vote.
What do I need to do?
1) Notify the IEC
You need to notify the Chief Electoral Officer of the following by completing a VEC10 form:
I. Your intention to vote;
II. Your intended absence from the Republic; and
III. The place where you intend to cast your vote.
The completed form must be delivered to the Chief Electoral Officer, either by hand, by post or by facsimile.
ADDRESS OF CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER
Post notifications to:
P O Box 7943,
Pretoria,
0001,
South Africa
Fax notifications to:
012 428 5566
012 428 5279
Hand-deliver notifications to:
Election House,
260 Walker Street,
Sunnyside,
Pretoria.
This must be done within fifteen (15) days after the president has proclaimed the election. Failure to do so will result in you not being able to apply for a special vote.
2) Based on the information on the VEC10 form, the Chief Electoral Officer will check whether you are registered as a voter, and then inform the presiding officer of the voting district in which you are registered that you may apply for a special vote there;
3) You have to go to the office of the presiding officer of your voting station on the date and time as set out in theElection Timetable. The office of the presiding officer will be situated at or close to your voting station where you are registered. The date for application and casting a special vote is normally two days before the election.
4) Take your green bar-coded identity document or valid temporary identity certificate and passport along;
5) At the voting station you will apply for a special vote by completing a VEC1 form form and in your presence the voting officer will consider your application, including checking that you have been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer that you had notified her (VEC10 form) and that you can apply for a special vote;
6) If your application is successful, you must produce your identity document to the voting officer;
7) Your thumbnail will be marked with indelible ink, your identity document stamped and you will receive a ballot for the National Assembly and a ballot for the provincial legislature;
8) Once you have marked the ballots in secret, you must place and seal the ballot in an unmarked envelope and the unmarked envelope will then get placed in another envelope that is marked outside with your name, identity number; The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot
9) The envelope is placed in a secure ballot box for special votes; and
10) Your name will be marked on the Voters’ Roll with a “SV” to indicate that you have cast a special vote.
Loved this blog because it is so true and I feel the same way as you. My dad was born in Cape Town and has lived in South Africa his entire life and has a business that provides jobs for about 20 other South African people, he pays tax and vat, contributes to society and has a real hope in where he lives, but because he is a German he cannot vote at all or have any say in the SA government. How could this be when prisoners can? I do not get it. I don’t think I ever will either.
respect!
*love the new blog btw*