Despite some voting stations opening late due to community protests and the late delivery of ballot papers, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said they've had a smooth start to the 2024 national and provincial elections.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Mashego Shiburi briefed the nation regarding the progress made thus far at the IEC's National Results Operations Centre at 1 pm on Wednesday.
According to Shiburi, 93% of the IEC's network of more than 23,000 voting stations had opened physically and online by 7 am.
The remainder of the voting stations that experienced delays, were opened within the hour.
In the Eastern Cape, community protests delayed the opening of two voting stations in the Ntabankulu Local Municipality and three others in Port St. Johns, the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, and the Nyandeni Local Municipality.
Similarly, community protests delayed the opening of voting stations in the Ethekwini and the Umuziwanbantu Municipalities until long after 9 am.
In Johannesburg (Sandton, Roodepoort, Dunkheld) the late delivery of ballot papers caused delays.
At the more than 240 Correctional Centres across the country, where more than 17,000 inmates registered to cast their vote, voting seemingly went smoothly.
The Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria registered 2 908 eligible voters, the country's largest number.
Shiburi said inmates cast their vote in line with Section 24B of the Electoral Act.
"The Commission assures voters that adequate supplies of all materials, including 90 million ballot papers for all three ballot types are available, and every voter will be assisted to vote before voting stations close.
