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Measures in place to contain any eventuality in Free State: IEC

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The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it has contingency measures in place to deal with volatile areas in the Free State. There have been an increased number of violent service delivery protests in the province.

28 parties are vying for the 30 seats in the Free State Legislature.

There are more than 1.4 million registered voters in the Free State with the Mangaung Metro in Bloemfontein leading the race with 426 000 voters.

The proverbial elephant in the house has been violent protests.

In some parts of the province the situation has been so dire that learning and teaching have disrupted.

Some citizens say that, despite the protests, they will be casting their vote on 8 May.

“Even if protests have been happening in Free State or South Africa, I will vote as a youth because even though that party of mine doesn’t win or it wins. I’ll be happy to say I also made my mark there.”

“As a conscious citizen I have to make my mark. I have to put my voice out there to say which party I would like to put in Parliament.”

Authorities say measures are in place to contain any eventuality and that required electoral stock has been dispatched.

IEC Manager Electoral Matters,Nkosana Macala, says that all scanners have been taken for service.

“All scanners at the moment have gone through servicing and maintenance they are ready to be shipped to voting stations. Currently, the voters roll has been uploaded on the scanners for voting purposes so all has been serviced and maintained and now only uploading the voters roll for election day.”

A code of conduct will be signed on Friday by all the parties in the Free State.

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