Why ID details used in special vote 2-envelope system, and other election questions answered

Special voting kicked off on Monday this week already, ahead of Wednesday's crucial elections.

Issues still confusing some South Africans is the question of the double envelope system used for special votes.

Rebecca Davis has the answers for the most common question marks in her article for Daily Maverick.

In conversation with John Perlman, the journalist puts to bed some of the claims being spread ahead of D-Day.

People registered for a special vote found that their ballot paper was place in an unmarked envelope, which was then placed in a SECOND envelope which displayed their ID number.

"It's an understandable concern, because the nature of a secret ballot suggests that your ID or any personal details should be nowhere near your vote... but unfortunately this is a necessary precaution they're taking in order to make sure that nobody who didn't register for a special vote, voted, and then could potentially vote again."

"It's also the system they use for overseas voting. They have used it in previous elections, so I'm not sure why it's coming to the fore now."

- Rebecca Davis, Journalist - Daily Maverick

Davis explains that, during special voting, your marked ballot goes into an envelope which is blank and then that envelope is placed into the second, external envelope which does have your ID details on it.

When that vote gets counted, the envelope displaying your details is thrown away immediately, she says.

The unmarked envelope with the ballot in it,  is then put into the ballot box.

"There's no way after that to link your vote to your ID details whatsoever. It's purely to check you off on the list and say 'this person applied for a special vote, and they voted'. Your vote is still secret."

- Rebecca Davis, Journalist - Daily Maverick

Scroll up to the audio player to hear Davis answer more voter questions