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21 April 2009

About 23 million South Africans were expected to cast their votes on Wednesday and the Electoral Commission (IEC) said it was ready to deliver the country’s fourth election.

“Our democracy is maturing. As we celebrate 15 years of democracy, the 2009 election has generated excitement,” said Brigalia Bam, Chairperson of the Commission. “We are ready to deliver a peaceful election to be witnessed by of 4,900 domestic observers and 352 international observers. About 358 diplomats from 61 embassies will also visit polling stations,” she said.

About 9 130 candidates appear on the various parties’ lists, 40 parties are contesting the election for the national assembly and the nine provincial legislatures, 26 parties are contesting for national assembly and 215 000 election officials have been recruited and trained.

Following are facts and figures for Wednesday’s poll: About 23 181 997 registered voters ; 86 578 special voters, 17 937 applications for the special voting abroad in 106 countries were received; about two thirds of voting stations are located at schools; 15 international organisations have sent 320 observers; 51 South African organisations have sent a total of 5 000 domestic observers; about 55 million ballot papers were printed; about 450 tons of paper was used in printing ballot papers and materials to be used include 394 400 staff identification stickers.

There are also 97 002 ballot boxes; 92 700 voting compartments; 46 700 stationery packs (49 tons of stationery) 40 000 banners; 30 000 zip-zip scanners; 39 452 templates for Braille votes, 19 726 maps of voting districts; 2.25 million paper clips; 2 250 kilometres of packaging tape; 4.5 million ballpoint pens; 90 000 refuse bags, 45 000 calculators, 2 250 kilograms of thin cotton twine; 1 500 litres of ink to mark voters’ hands; 11 warehouses to store voting material and lastly 215 000 officials recruited to work at the voting stations across the country.

Polling stations open at 07h00 and close at 21h00. Special provision has also been made for persons with disabilities and other physical challenges as well as the blind. In addition, the commission produced voter and balloting education booklets for the visually impaired.

Dr Bam said for the past 14 years the commission, had maintained its independence as enshrined in the Constitution, and had ensured that democratic values such as transparency, accountability, credibility and legitimacy in the running of free and fair elections were embraced and jealously guarded in all our elections.

“We have enjoyed a reputation of credible elections. We are happy at the way political parties have created space and environment for the electorate to be exposed to the diversity of this nation. We hope that all parties will continue to contest the elections in a robust manner but must abide by the spirit, principles and provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct which they have all signed,” said Dr Bam.

Adv Pansy Tlakula, Chief Electoral Officer of the Commission, thanked suppliers, civil society organisations, members of the public who participated in its different programmes, political parties, members of the diplomatic corps and the media for making the election possible.

Adv Tlakula said the IEC was excited that young people are keen on voting in the country's fifth elections. “They are aware that voting makes them part of the decision-making process and consider it their responsibility to help ensure a lasting democratic society,” she said.

In terms of the Electoral Act, final election results have to be released within seven days after the election. This is to cater for objections on results.

Enquiries:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386

Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
21 April 2009