ActionSA seeks election re-run at Seshego voting station
A political party alleged that a sealed box of ballot papers had arrived at a primary school in Polokwane without police officers or accredited observers present, prompting a formal complaint to the IEC.
ActionSA has demanded a re-run of voting at MP Malatjie Primary School in Seshego Zone 8 after alleging a discrepancy involving 215 ballots and claiming that established election safeguards had been bypassed, reports the Polokwane Review.
Speaking yesterday afternoon (November 5), ActionSA provincial chairperson and the party’s Polokwane mayoral candidate, Victor Mothemela, said party agents recorded 1 315 votes at the voting station, while IEC records reportedly reflected 1 100 ballot papers.
According to the party, the difference of 215 ballots remains unexplained, raising concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
Mothemela further alleged that a sealed box containing ballot papers arrived at the voting station without police officers or accredited observers present, which he claimed bypassed standard security procedures.
ActionSA said party agents from several political parties, including the EFF, Mayibuye and the SACP, questioned the validity of the ballots.
Despite these objections, the party alleged that IEC officials proceeded with the counting, with ANC party agents supporting the process.
Party lodges formal complaint
ActionSA confirmed that it had lodged a formal complaint with the IEC, citing Section 65 of the Electoral Act.
The party is calling for a full explanation regarding the 215 disputed ballots, an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their discovery and appropriate action should any irregularities be confirmed.
“The IEC exists to protect the integrity of our elections and the democratic rights of all South Africans,” Mothemela said.
“It must act independently, fairly and without fear or favour. Its responsibility is not to serve political interests but to safeguard the will of the people.”
ActionSA said it would seek a re-run at MP Malatjie Primary School if the IEC’s investigation found that the integrity of the election had been compromised to such an extent that the results could no longer be considered reliable.
The IEC had not responded to the complaint at the time of publication.
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