[imagesource:ndla]

After what feels like an eternity of political campaigning, the 2024 National Elections have finally arrived, and tomorrow every registered voter in South Africa will have a chance to decide who they want to take the wheel for the next 5 years.

A total of 23,292 polling stations will be open from 7AM to 9PM tomorrow – which has been declared a public holiday (in case you don’t already know).

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), 27.79 million people aged 18 and above have registered for the elections this year, up from 26.74 million in 2019.

For the first time, independent candidates will also compete in the elections, and to accommodate this change, voters will receive three ballots instead of two, each requiring a choice of one party or candidate. The IEC has cleared 14,889 candidates, including 70 political parties and 11 independents, to contest the elections.

While voting is a right, South Africans know that it is more than that. It’s a privilege that did not come easy, and while we’re all excited as can be to make our mark, there are also a few things we need to keep in mind when sidling up to the voting booth – especially when sharing our experience on social media.

Sharing that you have voted, without revealing how you voted, is generally acceptable. Posts expressing excitement about participating in the democratic process or encouraging others to vote are also fine, but taking videos and posting selfies of your marked ballot is illegal, so don’t be that person.

Posting content that advocates for or against a candidate or a party in the voting spaces is also prohibited. This includes campaign slogans, endorsements, or negative statements about candidates, as well as spreading false information – which is not cool. So keep it factual, and play nice.

Get there early, cast your vote, and then have a lekker chill day with the family. We’ll be spending the remainder of election day drinking day beers and eating Butler’s Pizza – you know,  the only perfect party.

See you all on the other side of the voting booth.

[source:aljazeera&iol]