The much-anticipated national and provincial elections kicked off smoothly with no major incidents being reported. According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), by 07:00 93% of the voting stations had opened across the country, while the rest opened later.
Farmers, organised agricultural leaders, and agro-processors took time off from their hectic schedules and cast their votes across Mzansi.
“There were a number of voting stations that delayed opening because of late delivery of materials, delayed escorts by security services or protests by certain community members.
“In most stations, queues had formed even before the stations opened. This is a testament to the enthusiasm of South Africans to record their political choices.
“Commission is pleased to report that all our trained staff members reported for duty and started welcoming the first of the 26 million eligible voters at 7am at the 23 292 voting stations across the country,” the IEC said in a statement.
Food For Mzansi caught up with all the action on election day.
The chief executive officer of the South Africa Farmers Development Agency (Safda), Dr Siyabonga Madlala, said he voted because he is a responsible citizen who had to exercise his constitutional right.
According to the IEC, at 12 noon, election operations around the country reported good progress with minimal incidents.
“The Electoral Commission assures voters that adequate supplies of all materials, including more than 90 million ballot papers, are available, and every voter will be assisted to vote. The commission further urges voters in the queues to be patient, as traditionally, voting queues peak early as voters often seek to vote first thing during the day,” IEC said.
Meanwhile, the IEC warned that those who have voted, should not remove the indelible ink mark on their thumbs in an attempt to commit fraud.
“The indelible ink is one of several security checks and safeguards built into the election process, but the commission wishes to remind all voters that any attempt to undermine the integrity of the election process, including attempting to remove the ink mark, constitutes electoral fraud and is punishable by up to 10 years in jail,” IEC said in a statement.
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