Voting fever and that X-factor

UPDATE 1 – Election Day 2016 has eventually arrived. And braving the early morning chill, Limpopo’s 2,566 million registered voters are out to exercise their democratic right to choose their preferred councillor candidates in this year’s local government elections.

The results of today’s votes, and those cast during two days of special voting on Monday and yesterday, constitute a make-or-break situation for many as the presence of several newcomers in the political arena is being considered a threat to former ruling party strongholds in the province. In the end the successful swaying of votes by any candidate or party is not the X-factor though, but it should be the commitment of chosen councillors to want to improve the lives of scores of residents – irrespective of political affiliation – during their term in office.

In Polokwane long queues have already formed at voting stations in and around the city early this morning. As Polokwane Observer’s editorial team proceeded from one station to the next, several challenges were identified. At the voting station at Piet Hugo Laerskool in Ladanna, Polokwane Observer’s journalist was not allowed to take photos and was escorted off the premises.

At the same time it was noted that observers at Ivypark Laerskool have arrived approximately 17 minutes after voting had already started.

At Taxila Secondary School in Nirvana scanners were reportedly not operating as expected, but the problem was immediately solved.

At Hoër Tegniese Skool Tom Naudé in Eduan Park the process was characterised by a five-minute delay to a queue of an estimated 300 potential voters. It was learnt that the first voter already showed up at 05:20.

At the voting station at Bet Shalom Church in De Wet Avenue in Bendor the process commenced without glitches.

Story by: Yolande Nel

Photo by: Nelie Erasmus

Featured photo: Louis Jooste and his toddler have been first to queue at Hoër Tegniese Skool Tom Naudé in Eduan Park. They reportedly arrived at05:20.