Head of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the North West, Dr Tumelontle Thiba, tells OFM News they are all geared up for this weekend’s special votes which encompass not just the manning of voting stations, but also conducting home visits for those who have applied, including the elderly, disabled and those who are working on Monday 1 November. 

Of the 99 505 residents who have received the thumbs up for this weekend, over 44 300 of those will be casting their votes in their homes. 

Thiba says IEC officials in the North West will open up voting stations at 8:00 am on Saturday and conduct home visits thereafter.

Thiba says the administering of special votes will come to an end at around sunset on both Saturday and Sunday, and should they not be done with this come Sunday 5 pm, their officials will continue into the evening.

Thiba encourages those going to voting stations to do so as early as possible during this weekend and on the main day, on Monday.

The beginning of the special voting period culminates with the deployment of 10 000 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers countrywide for the elections. A portion of the 10 000 soldiers will be deployed to cities such as Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Mahikeng, amongst others. 

These three cities in the Free State, Northern Cape and the North West have in the past experienced violent protests with irate residents displaying their anger with municipalities based in these towns over a lack of basic service delivery. 

The SANDF spokesperson, Mafi Mgobozi, says in a statement that the deployment of soldiers is to support the law enforcement agencies in order to safeguard the upcoming municipal elections on Monday. The soldiers will be deployed from Saturday until Wednesday 3 November.

OFM News