3 August 2016 @11h00
National Results Operations Centre, Tshwane – Voting in the 2016 Municipal Elections got off to a smooth and timely start at almost all voting stations early today.
The vast majority of the country’s 22 612 voting stations reported being open on time at 7am and that voting was flowing smoothly
The Electoral Commission is particularly encouraged that many voting stations reported strong turnouts from early in the day with many voters already waiting to vote before the 7am opening
The Electoral Commission is also very pleased to report that the situation was reported as calm and voting was underway in areas identified as potential hotspots in the run-up to the elections including in Vuwani, Limpopo; Emfuleni and Midvaal in Gauteng; and Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal
Isolated reports of unrest and community protests affected the start of voting were only received from a few wards in the Eastern Cape – including some voting districts in Ward 16 in Ntabankulu, and some voting districts in Ward 8 in Amathole
Security forces had been deployed to ensure voting could start as soon as possible in these areas.
Delays to voting were reported in a small percentage of voting stations due to a variety of circumstances including tents being blown over by high winds overnight in the Free State (Qwa-qwa) and Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern Cape and the late arrival of election staff and voting materials in a few voting stations.
Four motor vehicle accidents involving election staff were reported early today but no-one was serious injured in any of the incidents.
Sadly voting was interrupted at a voting station in Strydenberg in the Northern Cape when a voter died at the voting station. Police on the scene were dealing with the incident
The Electoral Commission is also pleased to note that the weather was reported to be relatively mild in many parts of the country and had not note adversely affected voting during the early part of the day
Voting will continue throughout the day until 19h00 tonight when voting stations close. Voters who are at the voting station or in a queue at 19h00 will be allowed to vote
Voters are reminded that they must vote only where they are registered. They can check their voting station details by dialling *120*432# or SMS their ID to 32810. The Contact Centre on 0800 11 8000 is also open until 9pm tonight to assist voters
Voters must have their ID documents with them and are reminded that each ballot paper must be stamped on the reverse and unstamped ballots will not be counted.
Voters are also reminded that it is prohibited to take a photograph or “selfie” of their marked ballot paper. This is essential to protect the secrecy and integrity of their vote and the process.
The Electoral Commission did receive some reports of isolated cases where voters had been stopped from entering voting stations by election staff because there were wearing political party clothing and regalia.
Wearing of such clothing by voters is NOT prohibited. It is only prohibited for party agents and candidates to wear party clothing inside a voting station. This information is made clear in a “Dos and Donts” poster provided to each voting station
Any voter who is prevented from entering a voting station due to their clothing should immediately report this to the Contract Centre on 0800 11 8000 – or to the Area Manager for that voting station. The cellphone numbers for the Area Managers are posted at each voting station.
The Electoral Commission would also like to remind all employers – especially those in the agriculture, retail, transport, mining and other sectors with operate continuously – that today has been declared a public holiday in order to allow all South Africans the opportunity to vote. It is illegal to prevent any voter from exercising their right to vote.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free and fair elections
For media queries please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews with IEC officials: Please email requests to [email protected]