Voters cry foul in Tshwane as their names don’t appear on voters roll

Mabopane ward 12 residents have expressed their disappointment after they discovered that their names were not registered on the voters’ roll.

The residents said this was despite them registering their names and being allocated to vote at Matshidiso Primary School.

Lucia Mokwena said she was surprised when she arrived at the school only to be told that her name was not on the roll.

Mokwena said she was aggrieved that she could not do anything to vote.

“I’m heartbroken because I can’t vote. When I came here, they told me that my name does not appear despite my registering. They came to my house and registered both me and my husband, but his name is the only one that appears and mine does not appear. I am not the only one who is complaining about this and we all registered the same way.”

Mokwena said the reason she wanted to vote was to bring about a much-needed change in the community.

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“I want to see changes in my community, I wanted to vote because I want to see young people getting jobs. The reason we are experiencing an increased crime rate in our community is because of the high employment and I wanted to vote for the person I think can take us forward as the community.

Another resident, Elizabeth Mnisi who shared Mokwena’s frustrations said she was surprised to also arrive at the voting station and find out that her name also was not on the roll.

“I feel very bad because I wanted to vote for change. If the party that I wanted to vote for loses, I will feel very cheated because they prevented me from voting. My vote will not be counted. I registered to vote here with the person I am with now. He was able to vote but my name is not on the system.”

IEC spokesperson Boitumelo Monaki said they have received queries relating to the ones from Matshidiso Primary School.

“We have received queries where people went to register during the registering weekend but when they go to try to vote, they find that their names are not on the voter’s roll.

“If indeed, they did go to the station to register to vote, they must check their names on the prepopulated list. If they get to the station and their names are not on the voter’s roll, they must request the presiding officer to check their names on the prepopulated list. If the names are on that list, they should be allowed to vote.”

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