According to a report presented before the Police Portfolio Committee ahead of the May 8 elections, about four to six officers will need to be deployed to voting stations in these provinces. The committee previously said they are confident of the SAPS’ state of readiness for the upcoming elections but are a bit concerned over threats posed by on-going protests in the country as well as the possibility of load-shedding. The committee says more reservists would be deployed to these provinces.

Meanwhile, the IEC Provincial Managers in the Free State, Northern Cape, and the North West have announced that it is all systems go in their provinces and that they do not foresee major challenges during the elections.

The Free State’s Electorate Officer, Jabulani Tshabalala, told OFM News that the only factors that could potentially affect the elections are bad weather and power cuts, which they have thus far made provision for. He said they are not too worried about on-going protests in parts of the province as they are currently 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.

OFM News