Voting across the Lowveld got off to a slow start today, November 4, with minor glitches and delivery delays affecting several stations.

In some areas, voting was held up because special-vote ballot papers had not yet arrived. However, these initial challenges were resolved, allowing the process to continue.

According to IEC spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Thanduxolo Chembeni, the delays were partly caused by ballot papers being transported by different escort teams.

“Besides that, most of the stations were open by 07:00, and the queues were moving smoothly. We have not received any major challenges at this stage. We encourage everyone who is registered to vote not to wait until the last minute but to cast their ballots while they still have time,” he said.

Mbombela stations manage steady voter flow

In Mbombela, several voting stations opened on time, although some experienced long queues and initial frustrations, particularly where separate queues were not clearly managed.

At West End voting station, a long queue formed, but voters were urged to remain patient as the process continued to move steadily.

At Laerskool Laeveld, the queue had already stretched about 750m by 06:45. Despite the large turnout, voters waited patiently, with smiles and laughter among those in the queue. Voting proceeded smoothly, with no major hiccups reported. IEC officials and party agents also helped maintain an orderly process.

The situation was different at the LVCC voting station in Steiltes, where some voters experienced frustration over long queues and delays.

An IEC official on the ground told Lowvelder that the queues were affected by the separate arrangements for pensioners, with elderly voters being allowed to move to the front to cast their ballots.

At John Mdluli voting station in Matsafeni, short queues formed, with voters continuing to arrive throughout the morning.

Nelsville Community Hall also reported short queues, with voters describing the process as smooth.

At Laerskool Nelspruit, voters said they were impressed by the speed of the process.

Although queues were relatively long, they said they did not have to wait long to be assisted. Some also welcomed the arrangements allowing elderly voters to cast their ballots without lengthy delays.

Ballot paper delays stall Hazyview voting

In the Hazyview area, voting at Ward 25 was delayed by almost two hours after party agents demanded that special-vote ballot papers be available at the station.

Voting could not proceed until the ballot papers arrived at about 09:00, after which voters were allowed to cast their ballots.

In Vakansiedorp, Numbi Park and the Shabalala area, no major challenges were reported, apart from some voters arriving at the wrong voting stations. They were promptly directed to the correct stations by officials.

In White River, voting stations opened at 07:00. Queues formed shortly after opening but moved steadily as voters arrived throughout the morning. Officials also encountered instances of voters reporting to incorrect stations.

Voting proceeded smoothly at Emfuleni Primary School in Marite and the Thulamahashe Civic Centre, with no challenges reported at either station.

First-time voters turn out in KaBokweni

Voting stations in central KaBokweni, including Khutsalani and Vulindlela Secondary School, were operating smoothly after opening in the morning.

There were no queues at either station, although residents continued arriving to cast their ballots. Both stations also recorded first-time voters who were former learners at the schools.

One of them, 19-year-old Bongeka Mabuza, who voted at Vulindlela Secondary School, said she had cast her ballot because she wanted to see positive change in her community.

She highlighted the need for improved water supply and better road infrastructure.

Storm causes power cuts at Lydenburg stations

At Barberton High School, short queues were reported, with voters moving in and out of the station quickly. Other voting stations in the area also opened early, although turnout remained relatively low at some of them.

In Lydenburg, queues were slightly longer, particularly at Ward 12, which is a large voting district.

Some voting stations in the area also experienced electricity outages after a storm overnight, affecting internet connectivity and communication.

Despite the isolated challenges, voting continued across much of the Lowveld, with IEC officials encouraging registered voters to make use of the remaining voting hours.