IEC experiences trouble in Mpumalanga

Share current article via FacebookShare current article via PinterestShare current article via WhatsAppShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInElectionsIEC experiences trouble in Mpumalanga Add as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google NewsListen to this article-00:00Enter full screen mode displaying the lead imageExpandTroubles in Mpumalanga experienced by the IEC! IEC spokesperson, Thanduxolo Chembeni, says counting is stalled in some wards. Photo by Bulelwa Maphanga (Bulelwa Maphanga) Vote counting stalls as quarantined ballots delay results VOTE counting in Mpumalanga is crawling, leaving people waiting anxiously for election results.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has blamed the slow progress on problems involving ballot boxes in Wards 25 and 12 in Steve Tshwete Municipality, which have been quarantined.

Tap here to download the FREE Daily Sun App

IEC spokesman, Thanduxolo Chembeni revealed that trouble started in Ward 25, where officials were forced to move from the voting station to the local office to continue their work.

But things did not go smoothly after the move as officials failed to reach an agreement with political party agents.

As a result, the ballots from the ward were not counted but quarantined. Another challenge later emerged in Ward 12, where a similar request was made to quarantine the ballots.

Chembeni said the problems had put its local office staff under pressure, as they had to take over counting duties while also dealing with the backlog of election results.

“This morning, our own staff were busy counting the ballots for Wards 25 and 12. The results were still being captured and had to be audited by independent auditors before being finalised,” he said.

ALSO READ | EFF member ‘killer’ in court!

Meanwhile, EFF in Mpumalanga intend to stop the counting of votes in the City of Mbombela following allegations of rigging in ward 9 at Mgcobaneni voting station.

Mayoral candidate, Godrich Gardee told Daily Sun the party discovered that what is captured in the results system is 648 for the ANC but the result slips said 485.

“When you drill the system down of the IEC you can view the result slips that they have been scammed and used it as a source to capture. We have printed the slip on the IEC and compared it with the original that we have taken a photo of at the voting station is completely different.

“We are going to open a criminal case and we are putting a section 65 and 67 objections at the IEC. The results of the IEC must never be declared there must be a total recount,” he said.

Out of the 17 municipalities, eight have been completed with newly formed party, Service Delivery Party leading in Victor Khanye Municipality with 39,53% and uMkhonto Wesizwe Party in Mkhondo leading with 41,25% . Counting at the City of Mbombela remains at 51,74%.

IEC experiences trouble in Mpumalanga 7m ago