South Africans living in Kenya have started voting at polling stations in the capital Nairobi for this year’s national elections.
Today is the day for about 30 000 citizens living abroad to cast their ballots, with London hosting most voters at 9000, Dubai at 1 500 and New York at 605.
Voting abroad in #SAElections2019 today? Remember to take both your valid SA ID & SA passport with you. Do share your thumbies, photos or videos with us. Please just remember no pictures of you voting inside the voting booth or of your ballot paper. Happy #FreedomDay!
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) April 27, 2019
Just over 100 South Africans living in Kenya are registered to vote at the High Commission in Nairobi.
Polls opened at 7 am and are expected to close at 7 pm on Saturday night.
Voters have been streaming in from seven in the morning when polls opened.
SA citizens who successfully submitted a VEC 10 to vote abroad on Sat, 27 April, 7am-7pm, please remember to bring your SA ID – green barcoded ID book, smart ID card, or valid temp ID, AND your valid SA passport to vote. Check your VEC 10 status at https://t.co/kXbq1yh1dk. pic.twitter.com/ttQVGlMNSt
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) April 25, 2019
Once they get in, their identity documents are verified and then they go through the process.
They’re given two envelopes to place their ballot papers, which are then sealed and placed into the ballot boxes.
Many say they are excited as South Africa is celebrating 25 years of freedom on April 27 and they are able to cast their ballots and exercise their democratic right away from home.