IEC Says By Midday Voting Operations Were Running Smoothly

Johannesburg – The Electoral Commission (IEC) on Wednesday afternoon reported a “smooth start” to the voting day with 93 percent of the 23 292 voting stations opening on time at 07:00.

Speaking at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Gallagher, in Midrand, the IEC Deputy CEO Masego Shiburi, said: “The Commission reports a smooth start to national and provincial elections for 2024”.

“By 7 O’clock 93 percent of our network of 23 292 voting stations were reported open both physically and online.

“The remainder of the voting stations at which we were delayed opened within the hour.

“We also, unfortunately, report that there were a number of voting stations at which we opened late owing to delays on our material handling also related to issues of escort where there were not enough security services to escort out materials including protests in certain communities.

“In most stations, queues had already formed before the stations were meant to open at 07:00.

“This we think is a testament to the enthusiasm of South Africans to record their political choice.”

Shiburi said the Commission respects its obligation to ensure that each of the 27 million registered voters will receive an opportunity to record that choice before voting closes at 21:00 (9 pm).

He said by noon the election operations around the country were reported to be in good progress with minimal incidents that “we are dealing with”.

Some of the incidents, which have since been resolved, included:

• Late delivery of ballot papers in Johannesburg
• Western Cape five voting stations delayed opening owing to protests
• Twenty voting stations opened late in Ethekwini owing to community protests

Speaking to The Bulrushes, Charles Cilliers said: “So we just finished voting at Norwood Primary School.

“They split the voters into three or four different queues but the A-G queue we were in was the longest and slowest moving. We were the only people wearing any party regalia. Quite a friendly vibe.

“The system was entirely manual (ID numbers were being written down by hand) and nothing was scanned.

“The local Councillor said she was talking to City Power about some issue. The three ballots were not easy to get into the box (lots of folding required). 

“In total the whole process from the queue took just over an hour.” 

While waiting in the queue at Crawford College in Lone Hill, Shoni Makhari the CEO of Ambani said: “Absolutely exciting… I came out here very early hoping to be in front of course…but everyone else seems to have had the same idea.”

“The queue seems twice as long as it was the last time I was here to vote. So it’s really very pleasing to see how seriously people are taking this election. 

“I am very happy to be amongst fellow South Africans who care about what happens to their country.”

Lindi Tshabangu, who was with her daughter – a first-time voter, was in a queue early at a voting station at Arconpark Primary School in the Vaal, south of Johannesburg.

“I am actually at the voting station with my daughter she is 19… first time voting and the queue is not long… we got about 50 before 7 O’Clock who are ready to make their mark and make a difference… I am hyped up… I am happy and looking forward to making a difference,” said Tshabangu.

The IEC said there were at least 70 political parties and independent candidates on the ballots. With more than 200 000 election officials, Shiburi said any incidents must be put in perspective.

Lindi Masinga, who voted at Alan Manor, near Mondeor, said: “Voting experience was extremely fast in terms of the queue, I was told it was full earlier in the morning at around 6 am.

“What made me take long was still not knowing who is worth the vote and the chance to make some kind of change.

“I think the ballots need to be shorter, there are too many parties that I’ve never even heard of.”

*All photos courtesy GCIS