The Electoral Commission‘s deputy chairperson, Janet Love says the IEC is ready for the elections. Love was speaking during a briefing in Pretoria on the IEC’s state of readiness for the May the 8th elections.
She says an average of eight election officers will be at each voting station.
Love says officials will also able to capture addresses of voters whose addresses do not appear on the voters’ roll.
#SAElections2019 readiness: On Election Day – Wednesday #8May – voting stations will open from 7am until 9pm to allow the 26.7 million registered voters to cast their ballots for the national and provincial elections.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) May 2, 2019
The IEC says it has its work cut out for it ahead of Election Day. Close to 23 000 stations will open on Monday and Tuesday for special votes, more than 700 000 people are expected to cast their special ballots.
#SAElections2019 readiness: Over the coming weekend the final preparations will be made for the opening on Monday, 6 May, of SA’s 22 924 voting stations for special voting from 9am-5pm.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) May 2, 2019
With just under a week before the country heads to the polls, the IEC is confident of its preparations. They also took the opportunity to warn the public to not be involved in protests that will interrupt voting.
Just a week ago, 70 people lost their lives and several houses were destroyed in Durban due to massive floods. The commission has put contingency measures to deal with any potential disasters.
The IEC has strict measures in place to deal with security threats. Polling stations on the day of elections will open at 7am and close at 9pm.
The Home Affairs Department will extend their operational hours from 16h00 to 19h00 on May 6 and 7 to cater for people seeking to access the services on the two special voting days.
#Elections2019 #ExtendedHours pic.twitter.com/z1agU8hTXK
— HomeAffairsSA (@HomeAffairsSA) May 2, 2019
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