South Africa

All eyes have now turned to the critical process of counting votes in the 2019 National and Provincial Elections.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has assured voters at the five voting stations in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, which were not yet opened by 5pm, that efforts to were being made to resolve this matter.

With just a few hours left before the close of voting stations countrywide, government has called on all citizens who are yet to make their mark to do so before polls close at 9pm.

Government has called on the people of Vuwani – who have boycotted the elections - to exercise their right to vote for their voices to be heard.

With Voting Day well underway, government has welcomed the smooth start to the 2019 National and Provincial Elections.

Election Day got underway to a very positive start at 7am today as voting stations across South Africa opened and voters arrived in high numbers to cast their votes in the National and Provincial Elections, says IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.

Sowetans young and old have expressed optimism at the positive future prospects presented by casting their votes during today’s 2019 National and Provincial election.

Anti-apartheid campaigner Denis Goldberg, who is one of the two Rivonia Trialists still alive, said voting and determining South Africa’s democracy is what his generation always wanted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has likened today’s Election Day to that of the first democratic election in 1994, after witnessing the high voter turnout at voting stations across the country.

Most voting stations in Pretoria opened on time this morning as voting got off to a smooth start.

Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says the right to vote is a hard-fought one, and that registered voters should make use of the privilege to make a difference.

Government has called on all South Africans, especially young and first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor says she hopes young people will come out in their numbers to vote today in order to determine the future of South Africa.

The country’s correctional facilities are ready to allow inmates to participate in the National and Provincial Elections today.

As Election Day marks the beginning of a process of forming the 6th democratic Parliament, the Presiding Officers of Parliament have encouraged South Africans to cast their votes.