A presiding officer from Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal was dismissed on Tuesday for breaching the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) impartiality rules. The officer was seen transporting sensitive election material in a vehicle branded with party colours and a logo. According to IEC provincial electoral officer Ntombfuthi Masinga, an investigation revealed that the vehicle was an e-hailing taxi owned by the presiding officer and driven by her son.
The IEC immediately terminated the officer's services, citing the need to maintain impartiality. Masinga emphasized that IEC staff must remain neutral during the electoral process. The commission took swift action to address the issue, which could have compromised the integrity of the election. The incident raises concerns about the potential for undue influence or bias in the electoral process.
The IEC also reported another incident at Dassenhoek Library, where supporters of a contesting party attempted to force their way into a precinct with a satellite storage facility. Public order police intervened, dispersing the crowd and preventing any tampering with election material. Fortunately, no material was compromised in the incident. The IEC is taking steps to ensure the security of its facilities and personnel.
Similar incidents were reported in Richmond, uMkhambathini, and Pietermaritzburg, where parties tried to gain access to IEC facilities or post private guards. Police intervened in these cases, restoring order and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The IEC expressed regret over these incidents, which contravened the Electoral Code of Conduct signed by all contestants.
The IEC is administering the remaining 228,947 approved special votes in the province. By the end of the first day, 133,931 special votes had been administered, comprising 68,114 home visits and 65,817 votes cast at voting stations. A further 83,315 approved home visits remain for the final day. The commission urged voters to remain at their listed addresses to facilitate the home visits.
The IEC also addressed challenges posed by inclement weather, which caused access difficulties at some voting stations. However, the commission reported that these issues were attended to, and voting stations opened on time. Special voting stations will close at 5 pm on Tuesday. The IEC is working to ensure a smooth and secure voting process.
The dismissal of the presiding officer and the incidents at IEC facilities highlight the importance of maintaining impartiality and security in the electoral process. The IEC will continue to take steps to prevent similar incidents and ensure the integrity of the election. Voters are encouraged to participate in the electoral process, exercising their right to vote in a safe and secure environment.
Key points
- A KwaZulu-Natal presiding officer was dismissed for transporting sensitive election material in a party-branded vehicle.
- The IEC reported incidents of attempted interference at its facilities in several areas, including Dassenhoek Library, Richmond, uMkhambathini, and Pietermaritzburg.
- The commission administered 133,931 special votes on the first day, with a further 83,315 home visits scheduled for the final day.
