The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said it was ready to accommodate registered voters living overseas, following Thursday's Constitutional Court judgment on the matter.

"All we have to look at now is the numbers we are talking about," said chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula after the judgment in Johannesburg.

In two judgments, the court ruled that all registered voters living overseas can vote for National Assembly representation on April 22 provided they apply to the Commission for their right to a special vote by March 27.

They must also tell the chief electoral officer where they intend voting.

The chief electoral officer then informs the head of the embassy, high commission or consulate abroad of the voter's intention

But, the Court did not support an application to allow registration overseas, nor a vote for provincial representation.

"We are relieved this is over," said Tlakula. "There is certainty on the matter and we will be able to start preparing for overseas votes."

About 5000 people had already notified the commission of their intention to vote, in addition to the 23 112 936 people currently on the voters roll.

"We expect the numbers will maybe double or more."

According to the judgment, in the 2004 national and provincial elections, nearly two million voters voted in districts other than those in which they were registered.

Willie Spies, lawyer for Pretoria teacher Willem Richter who got the Pretoria High Court to support his bid to vote while he works in the UK, said he was very pleased with the judgment.

"His mother (Richter's) is here and she will probably SMS him straight away," said Spies.

"We got exactly what we asked for," said Spies of the Richter's application, supported by the Freedom Front Plus.

Anthony Penderis of the A-Party, who had hoped to get unregistered voters the right to register abroad, said the right to vote while abroad was a democratic success and they would continue work on future overseas registration rights.

Afriforum's Kallie Kriel said they would now concentrate on getting the overseas registered voters to get in touch with the IEC before the March deadline.

Handing down the first of two separate judgments, Justice Kate O'Regan said the right to vote had a symbolic and democratic value.

She quoted colleague Justice Albie Sachs from a previous vote-related judgment: "The precious value of the vote in South Africa arises in no small measure from a history in which the right to vote was denied to the majority of our citizens."

The court found that although voters had to make an effort to exercise their right to vote by driving to a polling station or an overseas embassy, requiring people to travel from overseas to vote could not be seen as reasonable.

Section 33 of the Electoral Act had restricted the classes of people absent from the country on polling day who may vote to "temporary absence from the Republic for purposes of a holiday, a business trip, the attendance of a tertiary institution or an educational visit or participation in an international sports event".

The judgment noted that globalisation sees African citizens study and work abroad, with many sending money home or saving money to buy a house.

Their experience will enrich South African society, the judges said, and the fact that they want to vote shows their continued commitment to the country and their civic mindedness.

A second judgment by Justice Sandile Ngcobo questioned why unregistered voters had left their court challenge so late, given that it could lead to an undesirable delay to electoral deadlines.

The limitations had been in effect since 2003 and the applicants had not explained why they had left the matter so late, so they were denied access to the court on that challenge.

He explained that the effect of the two judgments is: "South African citizens abroad and who are registered as voters will be allowed to vote. Those who are not registered, will not."