No “selfies” at voting stations
Should people be found doing this, they will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year.
The Independent Electoral Commision (IEC) has urged voters not to take “selfies” of themselves at the ballot booth or of their ballot papers during Wednesday’s election.
According to the commission’s spokesperson Kate Bapela, it is an offence to take and /or publish photographs which reveal a person’s vote on a ballot paper.
“While voters may take photographs of themselves outside the voting station and of their inked thumbs to show their participation, they may not take pictures showing their ballot papers.
“If found, upon conviction, offenders will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year,” Says Bapela
She added that there had been instances of overseas voters taking such photographs as well as apparent social media campaigns promoting the action.
“It is not viable to take away all voters’ cellphones as they entered the booths, however we do ask people to respect the law.”
