Why the IEC bars photos of a voter’s own marked ballot
MIDRAND — A photograph of a marked ballot can give someone offering money or a favour proof that a voter kept their side of the bargain. That is one reason the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) gave for prohibiting photographs of completed ballot papers during the municipal elections. The rule applies even when voters photograph only their own ballots.
A social media claim naming actor Tumisho Masha says Gauteng police will handle a matter involving a marked ballot. The text supplied to TownPress links to Masha’s profile and an election hashtag, but the post has since been deleted on the issuing account or link to the original post.
What police have confirmed
In a separate incident in Limpopo, police confirmed an arrest after a presiding officer at Masakhane voting station in Ga-Willy village allegedly saw a special voter photograph his marked ballot on Monday, 2 November. Police also reported receiving complaints about two voters who allegedly used their phones to photograph their ballots at Chuchekani Primary School in Humulani. The presiding officer there reported the incidents to the IEC before approaching police.
For voters, the IEC’s instruction is straightforward. Mark each ballot in the privacy of the booth and keep the completed paper out of photographs. Officials have also been instructed to position booths so that a voter’s body shields the ballot from anyone standing behind them. Both measures protect the voter’s choice from scrutiny, whether at the station or after they leave.
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