Violent incidents mark day-one of special voting in EC

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The Independent Electoral Commission in the Eastern Cape has reported several incidents related to Monday's special voting day in the province.

Eastern Cape electoral officer, Thami Mraji, says an arson attempt was reported at a Sterkspruit school which will be used as a voting station on Wednesday.

He says police are investigating the incident at the Ekuzoleni Junior Secondary School in Sterkspruit where residents, campaigning for their own municipality, have vowed not to vote.

Mraji added that people burnt tyres in the street at a school at Engcobo, blocking access to a voting station. He says order was restored after police intervened.

A tent used for the voting station at the Jeffrey's Bay Show Grounds was blown over by the strong wind on Sunday night but was put up again on Monday morning and special voting proceeded without incident.

The IEC says a total of 57 477 voters have been approved for special votes in the Eastern Cape which must be cast between Monday and end of business on Tuesday.