More than 600 cast ballots at Krugersdorp CBD voting station
Voter turnout remains sluggish at Westcol TVET College, but electoral officials and local residents anticipate a late surge before stations close.
More than 600 people have cast their ballots at the Krugersdorp CBD voting station located at Westcol TVET College.
According to the IEC presiding officer in the CBD, Julia Shirinda, more than 3 000 residents have registered to vote on Election Day at the business heart of the municipality and its surrounding areas.
“Despite being one of the busiest wards and areas in the municipality, it’s been very quiet for us throughout the day,” Shirinda said. “However, only time will tell if more people will show up as polls and stations close at 21:00 this evening.”
CBD resident and voter George Manyedi also expressed surprise and concern over the turnout and is urging registered residents to cast their ballots.
“I think it’s important that residents take this seriously,” Manyedi said. “You can’t complain about the state of the city if you do not cast your vote. We have to remember that it’s not just voting day, but it’s also a public holiday. Many people are treating it more as a day to relax from what I’ve seen, taking it easy and lightly, and it should not be that way in my opinion, but maybe most will show up much later as the day progresses.”
Quiet day in Mogale City
The IEC is also urging voters to not take photos of ballot papers and post them on social media.
Speaking at the National Results Operations Centre, IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya outlined the rules governing conduct at voting stations, highlighting the importance of protecting the secrecy of the ballot and allowing voters to exercise their democratic rights without interference.
In Mogale City, there have been no reports of unruly conduct so far, but officials have maintained that voters must keep their ballots a secret and refrain from posting their marks on social media.
