Today I voted in Bellville. Apparently it was unnecessary to drive all the way there: someone said that I could have voted anywhere, also here in Somerset West. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing my sister’s family and walking around the old neighbourhood to the polling station. I have voted three times now (since 1994). In ’94 I had a bit of an accident on the way to the polling station. I was cycling down a pretty steep hill from where I lived into the Stellenbosch basin to vote at the university sports grounds. I hit a stone and took quite a tumble. Hit my head. Could have broken my neck. So, at the first election I was a little dazed and bloodied. ’99 I was back in South Africa and voted in Bellville, and ’04 I was in Finland. I must have voted before then, 1989 and perhaps in a referendum in ’92 or ’93. I cannot really remember. These are just the major elections — I’m sure I’ve voted in more local elections also. My one regret is that I didn’t vote in Finland when I had the opportunity. (Riita Väisänen for president!! Kymppitonni rules!!)
According to the local news sources the turnout was high. I tried to check this out on www.nationmaster.com, but I’m a little skeptical about the 130% voter turnout at the top of the list. Several other countries are above 100%, so something is wrong somewhere. Luckily, http://africanelections.tripod.com/za.html has more accurate and detailed results. Turnout in ’94 was 87%, ’99 was 89%, and ’04 was 77%. Ooh, a bit of a drop. I hope it was higher this time. At least there were more registered voters than in previous years. Oddly there were about a quarter of a million spoiled ballots in the last two elections.
Sadly, the SOCCER party seems to have disappeared, but at least the KISS (Keep it Straight and Simple) party has made a welcome return to the national ballot. (So, a quick explanation: there are two ballots, one for the national assembly and one for the provincial assembly. There are 23 national parties to choose from and, here in the Western Cape, 16 local parties. Some are obviously the same, like the ANC, DA, COPE, etc.) One of the odder parties is the Cape Party, who plan to secede from the republic when if they get into power. I have no idea what our new “country” will be called. Probably just “The Cape”? “Cape of Good Hope”? “Cape of Storms”? It would be an odd name for a country. I wonder if they’ll let us join the UN? We probably wouldn’t want to.
Of course, the highlight of the election process for me is getting my finger painted. There are always many stories about nefarious schemes to get rid the indelible dye, but I wonder who on earth would want to. Even if you vote twice, it is not going to make much of a difference. And you’ll spend the whole day in the queue! Now that takes real dedication. I like the dye because it is fun to see it grow out with the nail. It’s usually gone after about six months, but it is always a little sad when I cut my nails and realize that I’m removing that last of the election ink!