Some 13 500 expatriates have successfully applied to vote in the April elections following the ruling that all South Africans abroad who are registered may cast their ballots, the Democratic Alliance said on Wednesday.

"As of yesterday (Tuesday) about 13 500 people have applied to vote and been accepted. Most of them are in London," DA chairperson James Selfe said.

Selfe said the information was given to political parties by the Independent Electoral Commission earlier this week.

Asked to comment, the IEC said it could not immediately confirm the figure.

In two judgments on 12 March, the Constitutional Court ruled that all registered voters living overseas can vote for National Assembly representation, provided they notify the commission of their intention to do so by Friday 27 March.

The court did not support an application to allow registration overseas, nor a vote for provincial representation.

Selfe said he expected the number of people abroad who plan to vote to reach 20 000 by Friday.