Political leaders and regular citizens agree that the IEC was ill prepared to handle yesterday’s record voter turnout ...
The IEC is coming under from all walks of society, following marathon queues, network failures, technical glitches, poorly trained staff and a general lack of preparedness during yesterday’s all-important 2024 vote. Even as polls were meant to close at 21h00 last night, queues at several voting stations run by thestill snaked out the doors and around the blocks, forcing citizens to endure an arduous wait to exercise their democratic right to vote.
You know it has to be bad when Economic Freedom Front leader Julius Malema is praised for his scathing attack on the IEC. Addressing media after waiting more than three hours to cast his vote in Seshego township he said: “They are deliberately slowing the voting process down to allow government to rig the elections.” Malema also bemoaned a lack of privacy at voting stations and confusion over the three-ballot system.
Wherever you look on social media, Mzansi is complaining about the conduct of the IEC. This particular author waited three hours and fifteen minutes to vote. At my local voting station, anyone who had reregistered a Section 24A was not on the voter’s roll. Pens with indelible ink were running dry by 10h00. Likewise, despite old-age pensioners having the chance to vote in days prior, they were shuffled to the front of the queue, adding hours to the waiting time for everyone else.
Of course, mine is just one of millions of stories of frustration and, frankly, disheartenment over the IEC’s ‘free and fair elections’. Because, the IEC has been talking up its preparedness for weeks leading up to the 2024 vote. Including how theYesterday, IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi admitted that numerous problems were being experienced at voting stations.
Sadly, as far as this author is concerned, four days’ training was clearly insufficient for the enormity of the occasion. You cannot expect voters – as political leaders like Malema have explained – to wait for more than three hours and feel uplifted by the experience. Likewise, seeing the patent disorganisation on display doesn’t fill anyone with confidence regarding the accuracy of the process.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Zuma vs the IEC: 'Reasonable person' would not conclude IEC prejudged Zuma's eligibility, argues IECZuma vs the IEC: 'Reasonable person' would not conclude IEC prejudged Zuma's eligibility, argues IEC
Read more »
Expected high voter turnout a nod to political parties, says IECThe disillusionment in the country’s political system resulting in low 2021 local election turnout numbers has seemingly dissipated
Read more »
IEC fires warning shot at political fake news pushersPolitical party election candidates who deliberately peddle disinformation online could be disqualified or fined up to R200 000, warns the IEC.
Read more »
ANALYSIS: 'Confused electorate', IEC's legal challenges & political precarity characterise SA ahead of 2024 electionsWith election day less than a month away, Vukile Dlwati looks at the country's state of readiness ahead of the 2024 polls.
Read more »
Political parties take IEC to ConCourt over election eligibility - SABC News3 political parties will take the IEC to ConCourt in a final bid to join the race to 2024 elections
Read more »
IEC's Mosotho Moepya Calls for Party Agents' Support in Upholding Electoral IntegrityIn a bid to counter criticism and ensure transparent polls, IEC's Mosotho Moepya emphasises the pivotal role of collaboration between political parties and the IEC.
Read more »