Voter registration goes well despite minor hiccups
Although voter registration in Mpumalanga proceeded amid minor glitches, it was met with protest action across the country. Another issue was the demarcation of some wards and municipalities. The first leg of registration for the local government elections last month saw violent protests erupting in Vuwani, Limpopo, over exactly this.
KABOKWENI – Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa, Mr Glen Mashinini, paid a visit to voting registration centres in KaBokweni on Sunday.
He was doing oversight and site inspections at various registration centres across the country to make sure that there was adherence to the requirements for registrations. He visited stations like those at the Primary School in Dwaleni and Temba Hospital in KaBokweni.
He was accompanied by the IEC provincial head, Mr Steve Ngwenya and the MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), Ms Refilwe Mtsweni.
On April 6 the president Mr Jacob Zuma announced the official day for the 2016 local government elections. They will be held on August 3. The IEC also needed enough time to verify the addresses of potential voters on its roll.
The agency has called on voters to update their information and was happy with the turnout in the various parts of South Africa.
Although voter registration in Mpumalanga proceeded amid minor glitches, it was met with protest action across the country. Another issue was the demarcation of some wards and municipalities. The first leg of registration for the local government elections last month saw violent protests erupting in Vuwani, Limpopo, over exactly this.
Protesters blockaded roads, making it impossible for the electorates to register. On Sunday morning, just nine voting stations had not opened, all in the Vhembe area in Limpopo. Locals protested against a merge of the two municipalities.
Last ditch engagements took place between the electoral commission, community leaders and security forces to open the last nine voting stations to allow all residents the opportunity to register.
The remaining 22 608 voting stations throughout the country reported to have operated smoothly.
Although the agency was impressed with the registration processes, Mashinini said they were concerned about the growing tendency of protests in the country, especially when elections were approaching.
“We have engaged with community leaders to help bring calm and order in the areas where residents disrupted registrations, with their help we have managed to make it possible for people to register,” he said.
He lastly advised people to go out and vote for the political parties of their choice on August 3.
Click here to read more about the registrations.
