IEC angered by ‘lack of respect for democracy’
The Independent Electoral Commission has expressed anger at what is calls the lack of respect for democracy and rights of others.
The IEC's CEO Sy Mamabolo addressed the media at the national results centre in Pretoria on Wednesday.
This year’s elections has been described as one of the most pivotal following years of lagging economic growth and corruption scandals.
Mamabolo said community unrests delayed voting in certain areas.
Five voting stations failed to open by 5 pm.
"Despite the best efforts of the security agencies, government representatives and the electoral commission five voting stations had still not opened when this briefing commenced,” said Mamabolo.
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"There's one station in Buffalo City and one in Tabankulu in the Eastern Cape, and there's three voting stations as we had reported in the morning in the Nkosi Langalibalele Municipality in KZN and one in Escort in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”
Mamabolo said efforts to resolve the matters and allow people to vote were still ongoing in the afternoon.
"And will continue for as long as it’s necessary. Four voting stations in Vuwani in Limpopo which were earlier opened were also forced to closed for a period during the course of the day due to unrest and safety concerns."
The stations have since opened.
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