Election Day Progresses Smoothly Despite Minor Delays Reported

(The Post News)- Although the voting process is going smoothly across the country, a few delays occurred in some voting stations, causing a delay in their opening early.
 
IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said all trained IEC staff members reported for duty and started welcoming the first 26 million eligible voters at 7 a.m. on May 29 at voting stations across the country. 
 
“In most stations, queues had formed even before the stations opened. This is a testament to the enthusiasm of South Africans to record their political choices.” 
Sheburi said this at a media briefing held at the National Results Operational Centre (ROC) in Midrand.
 
Sheburi noted that there are a few delays reported on the opening of voting stations, mostly in parts of Johannesburg.
 
This was caused by delayed material delivery, delayed escorts by security services, and protests by certain community members.
 
At a voting station, Die Heuwel primary school had difficulties with their ID scanner machine, and because of that, the queues became long, which halted the process of going to vote.
 
“I woke up early to come vote so that I would not stand in a long queue, but it seems they don’t have a backup. Now we have to wait for them to find a working machine so that we can proceed. It would have been better if they were better prepared because the queues are going to be long as people come in.”
 
Determined to wait in the queue until they vote, one voter says they are voting for the first time, and no delay discourages them as they are voting to make a difference.
 
“I decided to vote because I’m starving for a change. It is time to make a difference. High rates of unemployment and load-shedding should be a thing of the past and eradicate poverty as well. I want a South Africa where everyone can thrive, and also a student, I also want free and equal education,” said Thapelo Sepobetsa.
 
May 29 marks the seventh election day in South African history. Many South Africans are making their way to make their voices heard and count at the electing polls.
 
The voting is still underway and will close.
at 21:00 p.m. tonight.