{"id":967494,"date":"2024-05-29T21:01:55","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T21:01:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8888\/dm-simulator-v2\/?p=967494"},"modified":"2024-05-29T21:01:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T21:01:55","slug":"all-voters-in-queues-will-be-allowed-to-vote-iec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elections.sabc.co.za\/elections2024\/all-voters-in-queues-will-be-allowed-to-vote-iec\/","title":{"rendered":"All voters in queues will be allowed to vote: IEC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has assured voters who are still in queues that they will be allowed to vote.<\/span><\/p>\n

This as polling stations in South Africa\u2019s seventh democratic elections closed at 9pm.<\/span><\/p>\n

The IEC says 93% of their over 23 000 stations opened on time at 7am this morning. <\/span><\/p>\n

There were reports of technical glitches and other delays at some stations across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says they saw very long queues in the metros in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern and Western Cape.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Aaah but @IECSouthAfrica<\/a>, we need some kind of order and structure here at Wits pic.twitter.com\/fxFNa2dlIU<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dr. Simamkele Dlakavu (PhD) (@simamkeleD) May 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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My sister is at Wits right now #electionday<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rpIxLlmop0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Thembz ?? (@Thembeka__) May 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Voter Management Devices<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the IEC says the failure of Voter Management Devices (VMD) at a number of voting stations today has not affected voter\u2019s ability to vote.<\/p>\n

Mamabolo addressed the issue of the internet-enabled electoral administrative and management tools which allow amongst other functions, election officials to check voters\u2019 registration information via an online voter\u2019s roll.<\/p>\n

He says it is important to take into account the various factors that affect internet connectivity and also bear in mind that a physical voter\u2019s roll is provided to all presiding officers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe VMD is an important part of the voting process but it is not a legal requirement. So the legal requirement at the voting station remains the voters roll and all voting stations were provided with the voters roll,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo as soon as we experienced those difficulties, we advised all presiding officers to revert to the voters\u2019 roll which is a legal requirement competent for voting,\u201d adds Mamabolo.<\/p>\n

Long queues in Soshanguve<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Voters in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria are still waiting patiently in the dark to cast their votes despite power cuts in some sections of the township.<\/span><\/p>\n

Voting stations experienced delays due to a shortage of scanners and laptops.<\/span><\/p>\n

M<\/span>any stations in and around the capital city are still experiencing long queues including Hatfield, where mostly students from the University of Pretoria are waiting to cast their ballot.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s going to be a long night for many here at some voting stations in Soshanguve.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the 9pm cutoff time has passed, the majority of those who have been queuing for hours say they are not leaving until they cast their ballots.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier, tensions rose at Boepathutse Primary School where ballots ran out, delaying the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2013Additional reporting by Phumzile Mlangeni<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Below is the media briefing by IEC<\/strong><\/p>\n