The other day I was having a conversation with my girlfriends brother who will most likely be back studying in the US during the next South Africa elections. He was wondering if he could vote from overseas as voting did matter to him since he was eventually coming back when finished studying. I was quite flabbergasted not actually knowing the answer to something but oddly enough the answer came on the news this week and answered my question. Simply put, the answer is “no you cannot vote from out of the country”.
I think this is absolute rubbish and frankly a fearful ANC government scared of losing its power.
I understand where the ANC is coming from. They’re scared that the bitter whites who have left the country will reinstate a liberal white hippy party or even worse, a not so liberal black-hating, pale guys party. My issue though is that it’s highly anti-competitive behaviour. If a corporate entity were to pull a stunt like this, they would be in court in a moment for anti competitive behaviour. The ANC is already having a hissy fit about the “Congress of the People” so now needs to shield themselves from even more competition. I call foul though, why is competition bad? If your government and Presidential candidates didn’t reek of corruption and incompetence then people would actually vote for the ANC.
I don’t think most people who have emigrated could even care to vote. There are however people overseas that are studying, visiting or working with the intention to come back to South Africa. While this number could be as little as ten thousand, it seems that in the coming election this could make a huge difference.
All I’m saying is that the ANC needs to man up and accept that the next election is going to be difficult for them due to their idiotic policies over the past 15 years. Instead of fighting the competition by acting like a child, I think it’s time to face up to reality and get out of the ivory towers.
Remember kids, say no the Zuma, Malema and general ANC idiocy.
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You raise a damn fine point man but we both know nothing will come of it
Very valid point, I’m also annoyed that I won’t be able to vote.
What’s your take on the Congress of the People as a party?
I mean, its good that there is now a serious opposition to the ANC, but does it have solid principles and good leadership, or are they just opportunists trying to capitalize on public distrust of Zuma?
Its difficult to tell for sure from this end of the world.
WELL EVERYONE IS SCARED IN THE ANC,LISTEN TO THIS FOR INSTANCE,ITS ALLEGED THAT AN EMPLOYEE WAS CAUGHT LEAVING LUTHULI HOUSE WITH CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS,AND NO ONE WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT.WHEN RELEVANT SENIORS WERE ASKED BY THE MEDIA THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT,SAYING THEY WOULD RATHER NOT GET INVOLVED AS IT WAS A SENSITIVE ISSUE,WHO IN GODS NAME ARE THEY TERRIFIED OF,THEY ARE RUNNING,DUCKING AND NOW THEY ARE MUM ABOUT ALLES.
Actually, you can vote from overseas provided you are only there temporarily.
It’s not as good as it should be, as people working overseas for a few years are mostly disenfranchised, but students overseas are able to vote.
See http://is.gd/aaV1