IEC spokesperson in the Free State, Mathabo Rasengane, tells OFM News that staff members of the IEC offices were unable to access the building and were unable to work for most of the morning. She says that they were not directly affected by the occurrences of the day; however, their work schedules and preparation for the election was temporarily interrupted.

"The incident that took place this morning at the Bram Fischer Building, where the Metro Police were denying employees access to their offices, did, in a minor way, affect the IEC's offices, because our employees did not get to the office when they were expected to start. So hours of our time were lost due to this situation.

These disruptions allegedly were a result of the Mangaung Metro policemen and women who have yet to receive their appointment letters, says DA councillor in the Free State, Rakgadi Kganakga.

Furthermore, Kganakga adds that many citizens are unhappy with the implementation of the Mangaung Metro police as the municipality seems financially unable to support this venture and more so to see to its service delivery mandates.

Rasengane says they are currently busy with special vote applications and the finalisation of those who have applied.

”We are currently busy with the dry run of our systems with the training process set to commence this coming Friday," says Rasengane. She ends by saying that they were lucky enough to recover from the backlog caused, as their preparations for the election are in full swing again.

OFM News/Lee Simmons