IEC records drop in community protests ahead of polls
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has recorded a significant drop in community protests ahead of the 2019 elections.
The commission’s CEO Sy Mamabolo briefed media at the National Results Centre in Tshwane on Tuesday afternoon.
“The electoral commission is encouraged to note a significant decline in community protests this week. In those instances where protest action did continue, the South African Police Service were very quick to intervene and restore calm,” Mamabolo said.
At the same time, special voting on Monday and Tuesday had not been without any hiccups, with a few voting stations failing to open on time.
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Mamabolo said the issues were resolved.
“Very few voting stations did not vote. Two were in Bushbuckridge area, one in Reiger Park in Ekurhuleni. The 47 that had not opened in the Eastern Cape after the intervention of the SAPS we were able to open them; and all were functional. As was the case with those voting stations that did not open on time in Kwa-Zulu Natal.”
Police will be deployed at every voting stations across the country, with a focus on high-risk areas.
“A minimum of two police officers will be deployed to each voting station and the SAPS will remain on high alert in high risk areas to ensure no disruptions to the elections,” Mamabolo promised.