The IEC was confident the elections were off to a smooth start by noon on Wednesday, despite a handful of voting stations experiencing trouble. [Picture: Selaelo Makhwidiri / Salaamedia]
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the 2024 general election was off to a smooth start by Wednesday afternoon. However, some voting stations in some parts of the country were delayed for various reasons.
Providing an update on the progress of the seventh national and provincial elections at the Results Operations Centre, Midrand, the commission appeared satisfied. It said the majority of the 23 292 voting stations (93%) opened timeously.
“There were a number of voting stations that delayed opening because of late delivery of materials, delayed escorts by security services or protests by certain community members,” it said.
Community members in Keiskammahoek, EC, refused to vote and prevented others from voting. Their grievances related to a multimillion-Rand dispute over land claims.
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Voters have their say
Enthusiastic voters queued up since the early hours of this morning, excited to make their mark on three ballot sheets provided by the IEC. Many expressed dissatisfaction with the way things were going in the country, while some were hopeful the incoming government would be responsive to their needs.
A woman, who identified herself as Mariam, cast her vote for the first time, at the age of 41. She said domestic as well as international issues had prompted her to join the queue at the Schotschekloof Primary School, in Bo Kaap, Cape Town.
“With the way things are going in the Western Cape, in our country and in the world at large, very clear lines have been drawn,” adding that she wanted to stand on the “right side of history”.
“It’s very easy to think that you are just one person [and] your one vote may not count, but there may be hundreds of thousands of people who have that same notion, and if we all decide that we’ll use our vote, we may just be able to effect the change.”
On the other end of the country, in Johannesburg, a young woman who identified herself as Faith hoped her vote could turn the tide of unemployment.
“I would like to see … employment opportunities for everyone [and] development for our country. We need to evolve from a developing country to become a developed country.”
Voting stations will remain open until 21:00 on Wednesday, after which counting will get underway. Results are anticipated to be declared by the end of the week, potentially setting off a two-week scramble for coalition arrangements should no party win an outright majority.
Additional reporting by Shakeel Garda and Solomon Musonza.
