By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s former leader says he is concerned about the South African new electoral registration procedures, saying it could prevent many persons from casting their ballots as the country holds national and provincial elections today.
Goodluck Jonathan who has been championing a free, fair and transparent electoral process since he left office in 2015 as President of the most populous black nation is leading a team of election observers in South Africa.
“What we were a bit worried about is people who have not gone to their provinces to vote,” BBC quoted Jonathan, a former university lecturer as saying.
“Previously, voters could cast their ballots in major cities like Pretoria, Johannesburg or Cape Town without much hassle.
“However, this time, voters needed to apply to the electoral commission for reassignment if they wanted to vote outside their registered province,” Jonathan stated.
The former Nigerian President expressed concern that many voters who had not completed this process, mistakenly believing they could vote as before, a development that could disenfranchise them.
Jonathan, 66 added, “confusion over the introduction of a third ballot, a move aimed at accommodating independent candidates for the first time in South Africa’s history, could also have ramifications.
“Voter education will need to take place even at the voting centres, which will slow down the process,” he says.
Heritage Times HT reports that a record of 70 political parties are participating in the election, seeking to oust African National Congress (ANC) that has been in power since 1994 over its dwindling popularity.
The radical EFF and the new MK party, led by ex-President Jacob Zuma, are believed to enjoy a massive support of the people.
Zuma days after his campaigns in Soweto, a stronghold of ANC was barred by the court from running for parliament because of a contempt of court conviction, but his name is on the ballot paper
