The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reported incidents of alleged intimidation, disruption of voting processes and interference with election materials in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape during Monday’s special voting period, with arrests made in connection with some of the incidents.
In Mpumalanga, an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) candidate in Ward 30 allegedly stormed the Phake Rankaile voting station and damaged electoral materials. The candidate has since been arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In KwaZulu-Natal, supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) allegedly stormed the IEC’s satellite warehouse at Dasenhoek Library, where election materials are stored, and held election officials hostage.
Public Order Police were called in to disperse the group and secure the officials and electoral materials. According to the IEC, the supporters eventually left peacefully following engagement with police.
The Commission also reported similar attempts by MKP supporters to unlawfully gain entry into election materials storage facilities in Richmond, uMhambathini and Pietermaritzburg.
Alleged impersonation of IEC officials in Eastern Cape
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, two individuals allegedly attempted to collect election security materials from Ngcobo Police Station under false pretences.
The pair reportedly claimed to be IEC officials assigned to the EC137-Engcobo voting station but failed to obtain the materials.
They were subsequently identified as members of the Engcobo Yethu Civic Organisation.
One of the alleged impersonators, who is a proportional representation councillor candidate for the organisation, has since been arrested.
IEC condemns election-related incidents
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo condemned the reported incidents, warning that such conduct threatens the country’s democratic processes.
“The above conduct cannot be justified nor be allowed to impair the country’s democratic processes,” Mamabolo said.
He added that the Commission was taking legal steps to ensure those implicated were held accountable.
“The Commission is taking the necessary legal steps to bring the identified individuals and political parties to account.”
Mamabolo also urged political parties and candidates to respect the electoral code of conduct and use established reporting mechanisms to raise concerns about alleged irregularities.
“The Commission would like to appeal to all contesting political parties and candidates to adhere to the code of conduct until the end of the election process,” he said.
Special voting concludes ahead of Election Day
The incidents were reported as the second and final day of special voting drew to a close at 5pm on Tuesday, ahead of the main voting day on Wednesday, 4 November.
Despite the reported disruptions, the IEC said special voting had generally proceeded well across all nine provinces, with voting stations opening on time and home-visit teams successfully deployed.
The Commission urged approved voters who had not yet cast their special votes to do so before the 5pm deadline.
Those unable to reach voting stations before the deadline would have another opportunity to vote during the general voting process on Wednesday.
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