By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Free State says more than 130 000 special vote applications were approved ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections, although some voters missed out after being unavailable during scheduled home visits or failing to report to designated voting stations.
The commission said it had successfully concluded two days of special voting across the province, with all voting stations now closed as preparations shift towards Election Day on Wednesday, 4 November.
The commission described the special voting period as generally calm and peaceful, with electoral officials deployed across all municipalities to assist registered voters whose applications had been approved.
“The Free State had more than 130 000 approved special vote applications, comprising both home visits and voting at voting stations,” the IEC said.
“The Commission managed to attend to the majority of approved applications.”
However, some voters could not be reached during scheduled home visits because they were not at their registered addresses, while others who had been approved to vote at voting stations failed to present themselves during the special voting period.
The commission also reported weather-related challenges in parts of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, where heavy rain and strong winds disrupted some voting operations.
“Few of our temporary voting stations in a form of tents were blown away by strong winds,” the commission said.
“However, service providers responded by re-pitching the tents, enabling voting operations to continue.”
Despite these challenges, the IEC said electoral officials remained committed to ensuring that eligible voters were given the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.
The commission said its focus had now shifted to Election Day, with all 1 604 voting stations across the Free State expected to open at 07:00 and close at 21:00.
It anticipates assisting more than 1.4 million registered voters across the province.
“To ensure the smooth administration of the elections, a total of 10 826 electoral staff members have undergone training and will be deployed across the province’s 1 604 voting stations,” the commission said.
The IEC said the officials had been equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage voting operations and assist voters throughout the day.
It added that operational arrangements were in place and called on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that voting proceeded in an orderly manner.
The commission reminded voters whose special vote applications had been approved but who were unable to cast their ballots during the two-day period that they could still vote on Election Day at their designated voting stations.
It urged all registered voters to make use of the opportunity and visit their voting stations between 07:00 and 21:00.
The commission also thanked voters who participated in the special voting process, as well as electoral staff, security personnel, service providers and other stakeholders who contributed to its administration.
“As we prepare for Election Day, the Commission calls on all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and urges communities to maintain the calm and peaceful environment experienced during the special voting period,” the commission said.
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