Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says despite protests in some voting stations, voting got underway to a positive start.
Thousands of registered voters went to different voting stations across the country to cast their votes.
Mamabolo says they have received reports that about 17 voting stations remained closed due to access challenges.
He has assured voters that adequate supplies of all voting materials including ballot papers were available and every voter will be assisted to vote.
Sy Mamabolo: Says voters are allowed to wear their party political regalia/clothes when going to cast their votes at any voting station #SABCNews #SADecides2019 pic.twitter.com/B5f868dB0D
— Tshepiso Moche (@tshepimoche) May 8, 2019
He has warned IEC officials not to tamper with ballot boxes.
Mamabolo also sent a message of condolences to the family of an IEC Deputy Presiding Officer in the Eastern Cape who passed away overnight.
He also urged voters to check whether their ballot papers have been stamped at the back before casting their votes.
