[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

22 April 2009

South Africans flock to voting stations as polling draws to a close as South Africa’s fourth election draws to a close this evening, voters flocked to the polls, causing long queues and shortage of voting material in some districts and voting stations. Presiding officers scrambled to supply polling stations with voting material.

All stations are closing at 9pm. However, all voters who will still be in the queue at the time will be allowed to vote. “We received reports of the shortage of ballot boxes and papers in some parts of the country. The shortage of ballot papers was caused mainly by the provision in the Electoral Act that allows voters to vote at voting stations other than the ones where they are registered,” said the IEC Chairperson, Dr Brigalia Bam.

“This also resulted in long queues. We are pleased to say that with the cooperation of political parties and electoral officials, most of these problems have been resolved by redistributing ballot papers where they are needed most,” she said.

“We thank voters for their enthusiasm and patience as they waited to exercise their democratic right to vote,” Dr Bam added

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
22 April 2009