Elections 2024: How the three ballot papers will work
With just two weeks to go to the big vote, the IEC has defended its decision for three ballot papers in the 2024 election.
With just two weeks to go to the big vote, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has defended its decision to have three ballot papers in the 2024 election. When Mzansi takes to the poles on Wednesday 29 May 29, understanding the three ballot papers in the 2024 election will be crucial to a smooth democratic process, reports IOL.
THREE BALLOT PAPERS IN THE 2024 ELECTION
Back in 2019, only Provincial Legislature and National Assembly votes were taken. However, in 2024, voters will receive three distinctly coloured ballots:
- In blue, this is the national ballot for the National Assembly.
- In pink, this is the provincial ballot for the Provincial Legislature.
- In orange, this is the regional ballot for the National Assembly.
ELECTORAL COMMISSION CLARIFIES ITSELF
- The IEC says the National Assembly ballot (or National Compensatory ballot as titled above) is for the political party you’d like to see represented in the National Assembly. This ballot will be the same for the entire country and excludes independent candidates.
- The new ballot is the regional one. This is also for representation in the National Assembly, but includes independent candidates. Moreover, this ballot will be province specific and will fill regional seats in parliament.
- Finally, the pink provincial ballot allows voters to choose independent candidates/political parties for representation in the Provincial Legislatures. This ballot, too, is specific to each province.
SEATS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
More specifically, the national ballot determines 200 of 400 seats in the National Assembly. The regional ballot determines the other 200 seats. But these are reserved for regions, and will be divided across the nine provinces based on population size.
A reminder that you don’t have to vote all the same across the three ballot papers in the 2024 election. Of course, you will be allowed to split your vote across the different ballots should you wish to do so for different parties/candidates.