Minor delays in Mpuma during special voting

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Pretoria - Except for the delays in the distribution of elections material in Emalahleni, no major hiccups were reported on the first day of special voting in Mpumalanga on Monday.

About 21 656 people in Mpumalanga had registered for special voting, with 3 614 voting stations opening on Monday. On Election Day 7 938 voting stations will be open from 7am.

Independent Electoral Commission provincial spokesperson, Sibusiso Nkosi said no major hiccups were reported on Monday and by the end of the day, they had visited 4 324 homes.

"There were no major hiccups, except for Emalahleni where the auditors were not present on time for the distribution of elections material and also in some areas where the tents were not pitched up on time," said Nkosi.

South Africans, who will not be able to vote on 18 May, have been given an opportunity to vote two days before the elections.

Over 200 000 people had applied for special votes. Voters who qualify for special voting include those with physical disabilities or are ill and unable to go to a voting station, pregnant women, those absent on government service abroad as well as election officials and security force members on election duty.