This is according to the Independent Electorate Commission’s manager in the province, Itumeleng Liba, who said that more people are expected to come in their numbers today after lunch.

The commission is currently conducting a two-day voter registration drive at over 1529 voting stations across the province.

Meanwhile, Liba urged young persons between the ages of 18 and 29 who have not yet registered to take this opportunity and head to their nearest voting stations with their IDs to participate.

"We particularly appeal to people between the ages of 18 to 29 years old because that is where we have realised a deficiency and we still call on them to come in numbers. It is an exhilarating experience to vote for the first time, so let them come and make their mark, so that they'll be able to effect the changes that they want in the country," Liba said.  

He also added that while generally, everything is well, there had been two reported incidents in Bloemfontein, as well as Sasolburg, where registrations were impacted because of protests related to service delivery.

In the first incident, which occured in Bergman, Bloemfontein, registrations were impacted by the protesters, however, voting stations were eventually opened.

In the second incident, voter registration processes were not impacted.

Liba urged protesters to refrain from protesting as those hoping to register often stayed away from these stations impacted by protests owing to fear of being intimidated.

The IEC’s national office has meanwhile indicated that approximately 99 percent of the 22 925 voting stations opened on time with a steady stream of eligible voters visiting stations to register and update their registration details.

Among the challenges experienced by registration officials at the start of the final registration weekend included dealing with inclement weather conditions in a number of provinces which had affected access to voting stations, especially due to flooding or impassable roads. In particular, voting stations located in tents were affected by strong winds and heavy rains in the eastern Free State, parts of Gauteng, the coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal, and parts of Limpopo.

OFM News