South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has warned voters against taking “selfies” in voting booths during tomorrow’s election.
The IEC said voters should respect the “privacy and secrecy of the vote”.
“The popularity of selfies – a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone – along with a number of social media campaigns promoting voting selfies, has increased the risk of undermining the secrecy of the vote,” the IEC said.
The IEC said numerous voters took photographs of their ballots and posted them to social media after the vote abroad last week.
“The Electoral Commission strongly supports voters expressing their support for democracy and the elections through social media and selfies but these should be within the law,” the electoral body said.
The IEC said voters may take photos outside of voting stations and of their marked thumbs in order to show participation.
“However, voters are reminded that it is an offence to take and/or publish photographs, which reveal 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,” the IEC said.
The group said while cameras are prohibited inside polling stations, it would be impractical to remove every voter’s cellphone upon entering the premises and return them when leaving.
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