6 May 2014
South Africa’s 22 263 voting stations will open on schedule at 7am on Wednesday, ready to handle a potential 25.39-million voters who have registered to vote, says IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula.
“You can now report to the people of South Africa and registered voters that we are ready to deliver yet another free and fair election, and we will do so efficiently,” Tlakula told reporters at the IEC’s Results Operations Centre in Pretoria on Monday.
“It is now up to the voters to make their choice, and we are appeal to all voters to respect the rights of others to choose a political party of their choice … Our future as a country is in your hands, this is your country, this is your moment, vote and vote wisely.”
Tlakula also appealed to the country’s political parties “to respect our process and to work with our officials and security to ensure peaceful and smooth elections”.
She said a total of 20 736 voting stations were situated at permanent venues – including schools, place of worship, tribal authority sites, clinics and hospitals – while 1 495 voting stations were located at temporary venues.
There are also 32 mobile voting stations, which are in far-flung voting districts, where a vehicle moves between pre-determined stopping points to meet voters.
According to Tlakula, all voting materials have been distributed to the IEC’s local warehouses, including 62 892 200 ballot papers – 31 411 100 national and 31 491 100 provincial ballot papers
She said 211 032 temporary positions have been filled and training completed for voting station staff.
“Additionally, some 4 563 area managers have been appointed to oversee voting activities within district areas. Along with permanent IEC staff, this brings to approximately 218 000 the staff working on the elections.”
Source: SAnews.gov
