Of the 1,4 million registered voters, more than 426 000 reside in the Mangaung region. According to the provincial manager of the Independent Electorate Commission of South Africa (IEC), Itumeleng Liba, it is all systems go in the province and he says 1529 voting stations will be opened across the province. Following questions and suspicions over the objection of some political parties’ candidates, Liba confirmed that no objections have been received in the province and that a total of 28 political parties are contesting the elections. He says 11 of these political parties are new. Liba says they have hired all the necessary personnel and alludes that all security measures and contingency plans are put in place.

He furthers urges special voters to submit their applications before the cut-off date, which is next week April the 18th. Special voters may include the elderly, the physically disabled individuals, and people who will be working on 8 May. Those whose applications will be approved will then cast their vote on May 6 and 7.

The electorate’s Nkosana Macala adds that prisoners and students are not considered special voters and those registered will cast their national and provincial vote on May with the rest of the country.

“On May the 6th and 7th we will open stations for special voters, while others will vote during our home visit. This will be from 7am to 5pm. On May the 8th, voting stations across the province will open from 7am until 9pm, whereafter we will start counting results,” says Macala.

He highlights the province is ready for the general elections and that they are also conducting training with members of the SAPS and SANDF as part of their contingency plans in case there are riots or other issues arise during the elections.

Liba says the province will continue with its code of conduct signing ceremony by all political parties this coming Friday.

OFM News