This was according to figures released by the Independent Electoral Commission at a multi-party liaison committee meeting on Wednesday, FF Plus MP Willie Spies said in a statement.

"A total of 16 300 applications for special votes for South Africans aboard have been approved by the IEC.

"In London, 7460 persons will be casting their votes; in Canberra, 1228; and in Dubai, 889. All the other voting points overseas have fewer voters than that in Dubai."

He said his party was disappointed that thousands of South Africans who lived in cities such as Perth, Sydney and Auckland would not be able to vote because of the long distances to the capital cities where embassies and consulates were situated.

"Cities such as Perth, Sydney and Auckland only have honorary consulates, and not fully accredited South Africans consulates."

However, the important point was "the ice has now been broken", and the FF Plus would now intensify its campaign to make it easier for South Africans all over the world to cast their votes.

"Our expectation is that the overseas votes will in future play a bigger role in the election results," Spies said.