ActionSA seeks election re-run at Seshego voting station
The party alleges a sealed box of ballot papers arrived at the voting station without police officers or accredited observers present, prompting a formal complaint to the IEC.
POLOKWANE – ActionSA has demanded a re-run of voting at MP Malatjie Primary School in Seshego Zone 8 after alleging a discrepancy of 215 ballots and claiming established election safeguards were bypassed.
ActionSA questions ballot discrepancy
Speaking on Thursday 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 the voters’ roll indicated that only 1 100 ballot papers had been issued.
According to the party, the 215 additional ballots remain unaccounted for, 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, bypassing 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 alleges IEC officials proceeded with the counting with the support of ANC party agents.
Party lodges formal complaint
ActionSA confirmed that it had lodged a formal complaint with the IEC in terms of Section 65 of the Electoral Act (Act 51 of 1996).
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 the extent that the results could not be trusted.
The IEC had not responded to the complaint at the time of publication.
Review Online has contacted IEC provincial spokesperson Simon Thobakgale for comment. His response will be published once received.
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