The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal has captured 88% of the expected election results slips, with 82% independently audited, as counting continues across the province.
In an update on Friday, Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said that of the 14 245 results slips expected from 5 028 voting stations across the province, 12 601 have been captured and 11 694 independently audited by 12pm.
Masinga said the Commission continues to work through challenges affecting the results capturing process in several municipalities, including power failures, slow connectivity, staff fatigue and recounts.
In eThekwini, high volumes and recounts have affected progress, although capturing has been ongoing since this morning, with 64% of results captured.
In Msunduzi, the process has been delayed by morning rolling-back results slips recounts, with 40% of results captured. Capturing has also continued in Msinga, where storm-related power failures were reported, with progress at 70%.
Abaqulusi and Ulundi reported staff fatigue due to slow connectivity, with 63% and 64% of results captured, respectively.
In Ndwedwe, a storm-related power failure on Thursday, between 15:30 and 16:30, disrupted operations, prompting the relocation of results capturing to the KwaDukuza Library, which is being used as the KwaDukuza capturing site. The municipality has recorded 59% progress.
Staff fatigue was also reported in Alfred Duma due to slow connectivity, with 49% of results captured, while Inkosi Mtubatuba has reached 67%, with power failures affecting connectivity.
The Commission has reminded political parties, independent candidates, and members of the public that the deadline for lodging objections under Section 65 (S65) of the Electoral Act is 17:00 today.
“This relates to instances where the objector believes that irregularities, which may have occurred at a voting station during voting or counting, may have compromised the credibility or integrity of the election,” Masinga said.
The Commission will consider the objections lodged and issue determinations accordingly.
Objections must be submitted directly to the Commission via email at S65objections@elections.org.za before the deadline. – SAnews.gov.za
