IEC chairperson: Elections 2016 off to a good start
Many voting stations reported a strong turn-out with many voters that started queuing even before 7am.
That's according to the Chief Electoral Officer, Vuma Mashinini who addressed the media a while ago.
"Isolated reports of unrest and community protests affected the voting process in the Eastern Cape," he told the media.
Mashinini said that security forces were deployed to all the "hotspots" to ensure that voting progress smoothly.
"There were some instances in the Free State and Nelson Mandela Bay metro where weather did delay the voting process," he added.
Mashinini also reminded eligible voters that if they are within the parameters of the voting station before 7pm tonight, they will be able to vote.
"Make sure that you have your identity document with you and make sure that it has been stamped because unstamped ballot papers will not be counted, Mashinini said.
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The electoral commission did received some reports of isolated cases where voters were stopped from entering the voting station for wearing party colours, but Mashinini said this is not prohibited.
"This information is made clear in the do's and don't's posters within the voting station.
Mashinini urged voters who were turned away as a result of their clothing, to report to the IEC as soon as possible.
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"We would also like to remind all employers that today has been declared a public holiday in order to allow all South Africans to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
He said that it is illegal not to allow workers to vote.
"Today we are celebrating our democracy. Your future is in your hands," Mashinini said.