IEC launches probe in Mpumalanga ballots

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has launched an investigation into the discovery of a number of ballot papers in Mpumalanga.

A member of the public found the ballot papers in a street and informed the IEC.

"After this was reported to us, we immediately sent a team to investigate," IEC Chairperson Dr Brigalia Bam said at a briefing at the IEC's Results Operation Centre in Pretoria on Monday.

The IEC is expected on Tuesday to report on its investigation.

Dr Bam said while it was not clear how many ballot papers were found, the incident was not a crisis because there were other security measures in place to ensure ballot papers are not tampered with.

All ballot papers have to be stamped before entering a voting station and each ballot paper has a serial number.

Meanwhile, Dr Bam said no major incidents were reported during the first day of special votes.

Around 87000 people were expected to participate in the special votes system for security personnel, election officers, people with disabilities and women who are on the last stage of their pregnancy.

Special votes will close on Tuesday.