Voting selfies could mean jail time
Voters may face imprisonment if they are caught taking photographs in the voting booth or photos of their ballot papers on May 7.
Citizens of South Africa will not be allowed to take selfies in the ballot booth or of their ballot papers when they cast their vote for the national elections on Wednesday.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission’s spokesman, Kate Bapela, it is a serious offence to take or publish pictures which reveals a person’s vote on a ballot paper. “Upon conviction, offenders will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year,” Bapela was quoted as saying by media. She added that while it is not feasible to take away voters’ cellphones as they entered voting booths, citizens respect the law.
However, Bapela did say that voters may take pictures of themselves outside the voting station and of their inked thumbs to show their participation in the national elections.
