NINE registration stations failed to open on the second day of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter registration weekend. This was mostly due to community protests.
In the morning, the figure was five.
“The Commission also reports that only nine of the 23 151 registration stations did not open today. This was mainly because of service delivery protests. The Commission continues to work with the South African Police Service and local leaders to resolve the problems,” said the IEC in a statement.
“The registration weekend has also seen heightened use of the Online Portal for registration. So far, 39 519 voters have registered for the elections using the portal, which remains open until midnight tomorrow – 20 September 2021. We encourage South Africans to continue making use of this facility.”
However, IEC deputy CEO Mawethu Mosery says the number of voting stations affected is insignificant compared to the ones which continued operating.
“Where we had challenges is largely with the people who are protesting round the registering process and consequently causing intimidation. In some instances they have tried to block off the opening of voting stations. In the morning we had just about five across the county. But relative to the 23 151 voting stations, it is an insiginifacnt number.”
On Saturday morning, the IEC’s online registration system encountered a few glitches.
Potential voters were not able to capture their addresses on the system.
Mosery says the problem has since been resolved and the online registration system has also seen more people able to register.
“In terms of voters we’ve been seeing a lot of traffic on our online system and it is very encouraging it is now known and people are using it. I hope they continue to use it until tomorrow midnight for the election on 1 November.”
- Inside Metros