WATCH: Election fever hits South Africans worldwide!

THE Electoral Commission has announced a smooth start to special voting abroad at nine South African missions on Friday, 17 May.

South Africans living abroad began casting their votes on Friday, 17 May and will continue to do so until Sunday, 19 May. 

The commission's spokesman, Sy Mamabolo, expressed his satisfaction that South Africans living abroad have heeded the call to vote.

He encouraged those voters whose places of voting are open to cast their votes before the close of voting.

“It is appropriate at this time to also express gratitude to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Home Affairs for their ongoing support,” he said.

Mamabolo reminded voters that the 102 missions with a work week from Monday–Friday will vote on Saturday, 18 May, between 7am and 9pm.

He said due to the large voter population, the commission determined two days of special voting for London.

“These are Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2024 from 7am to 9pm. The additional voting day and extended voting hours are intended to enable proper arrangements for the 24 535 voters entitled to vote at the mission,” he said.

The CEO said: “Although we have made provisions for Sunday, we urge voters not to leave it to the second and last day. On Saturday, the entire Duncannon Street will be closed off to traffic, and stanchions will be erected to facilitate large-scale queuing.”

He further said they have also extended voting hours at the missions in Washington DC and New York on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Ground Work Collective (GWC) said it is determined to make sure that the elections are free and fair.

The organisation, led by former DA member Mbali Ntuli, will function as a group that will be observing the elections.

Ntuli said the mission will have observers in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Switzerland respectively.