Pretorians rush to voting stations
“Many will make their mark in what may be the most contested municipal elections since 1994.”
Thousands of people in and around Pretoria braved the morning cold to cast their votes in the fifth municipal elections on Wednesday.
Many were already in long queues outside voting stations by 05:00, waiting for polling booths to open at 07:00.
Long queues were seen at the Pretoria gardens in the west of Pretoria, in Centurion, in Selikats Causeway in Faerie Glen in the east and Soshanguve, Mabopane, GaRankuwa in the north.
Police were keeping a close watch.
At least 1.4 million people in Tshwane are registered to vote for their preferred candidates in 107 wards in the metro – two more than in the 2011 local poll.
The three strongest parties in Pretoria were expected to be the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
In the national picture, more than 61 000 candidates and more than 200 parties are vying for votes from the 26.3 million registered South Africans.
This year’s election has been described as the most hotly-contested one since 1994, with upsets predicted in more than one metro.
Among those voting, was Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu who cast his ballot in the morning.
He told reporters afterwards that voting remained a dream come true for him.
Also Read:
Brisk early voting in Pretoria
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