Ballot boxes quarantined in Mpumalanga after reports of tampering
The Independent Electoral Commission in Mpumalanga has quarantined ballot boxes that were allegedly tampered with at two voting stations in Matsulu, east of Mbombela.
It is alleged that some political party representatives tampered with ballot boxes at the Enzani and Matsulu Primary Schools. Provincial IEC spokesperson Thanduxolo Chembeni explains that a decision will be made about whether or not those particular ballots will be counted.
“It was agreed that the ballot boxes for the voting stations would be quarantined, and they have been. However, the matter is now in the hands of the provincial electoral officer and the commissioners, who are reviewing all the challenges that have occurred so that decisions can be made while counting continues at many voting stations. Ultimately, these decisions must be made to determine whether to count, or not to count those ballots.” He said.
Meanwhile, security remains tight at most polling stations in Secunda, Mpumalanga after stations closed on time in the Gert Sibande region of the province.
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The Electoral Commission used generators to power eight voting stations affected by cable theft in the Bushbuckridge area.
SABC News spoke with 73-year-old voter, Agnes Sibande at Barberton’s Kamhola Secondary School who expressed the hope that her vote will root out the ills of crime and drug abuse in her area.
Sibande says whoever emerges victorious must prioritise the moral regeneration of society.
“We have only seen improvements from political parties during our first election in 1994. But after they have only been making promises without delivering. There is a lot that we need in terms of service delivery in this community. We are now faced with a lot of crime and our children are now doing drugs because people are coming from outside countries to sell drugs within our communities.”
Local Electoral Officer, Fhumulani Thovhagale says counting has so far continued without any disruptions.
