A voter casts their ballot on 3 August 2016. Picture: Aletta Harrison/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - An Eritrean national has experienced his first ever election process after being part of an observer group during the local government elections in Durban. 

Tesfagabir Berhe was part of the 130 Jewish Board of Deputy’s observers in Wednesday’s elections. 

He says South Africans are fortunate to be able to participate in a free and fair election with no major incidents of violence.

The 40-year-old Berhe says it was an exciting experience to witness such a seamless voting process for the very first time.

Having come from a dictator-run country, he says he's never had the opportunity to take part in elections.

"The military leader came to power in 1991. He never gave power to the people, and there is only one party in the country."

Berhe says this experience is the closest he'll ever come to voting.

"It was very thrilling. I was so excited to observe the elections."

He wishes the Independent Electoral Commission all the best as vote counting nears the end. 

He also hopes his country will one day follow in the footsteps of South Africa.