IEC warns voters and parties against ballot photos, intimidation and illegal campaigning

South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) warned that photographing a marked ballot, campaigning inside a voting station or intimidating voters are offences punishable by fines or up to five years in prison. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya urged voters, political parties and municipal councillors to follow the rules and protect the integrity of the November 4 vote. Voters must mark ballots in private, follow election officials’ instructions and maintain order; parties and candidates may not distribute political material or try to influence voters within voting-station boundaries.