IEC confirms orderly voting

GEORGE NEWS - Michael Hendrickse, the IEC’s Provincial Electoral Officer, said no noteworthy incidents were reported on voting day, 21 January.

According to him, there was some minor tension involving certain political parties at the Pacaltsdorp Primary School voting station on Tuesday 20 January, as some parties had set up their stalls very close to the entrance. “We clearly showed them where they may stand so that they do not block access for voters,” he said.

Apart from this, voting proceeded very smoothly at all four voting stations.

A decision was taken late yesterday afternoon to use the Pacaltsdorp Primary School hall instead of the reading centre to allow for more space. “We are expecting a significant number of voters after work in the late afternoon,” Hendrickse said yesterday.

He noted that by 14:30 yesterday afternoon, no major issues had affected the voting process. “Everything is running smoothly,” he said.

The police also confirmed by yesterday afternoon that no serious incidents had been reported. Two cases of defamation were, however, opened in the run-up to the by-election.

At the voting stations, the police maintained a high level of visibility with members stationed at each venue, while Public Order Police members patrolled the wards where the voting was taking place.

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