Few voting stations have experienced glitches in the Free State with more than 1 000 stations prepared for special votes. In Metsimaholo, five tents were blown away by strong winds, while two other stations did not open on time.
The Independent Electoral Commission says more than 80 000 people have registered for special votes with 35 000 through home visits.
The Free State had its fair share of hiccups on the first day of special votes. In Bloemfontein, Cyprian Mogane, who is blind, says IEC has failed to accommodate them.
Mogane says he went to a voting station in Bloemfontein, around 10 am, but was told that the device he needed to use to vote was not available.
He says he went back to the station in the afternoon and was informed that the device is on the way. Mogane says he will not vote without the unified Braille template.
“I’m disappointed with the coordination of IEC. I have been here as a person with a disability because we have to vote on a special day but I have been here since 10. I was waiting for IEC to provide me with UBT but there’s no UBT. I don’t know whether I’m going to be able to vote.”
In Welkom, IEC officials found that one of the registered special voters passed on this week, during their home visit in Ward 15, Thabong, Welkom.
However, special voting started in earnest in Ward 15. “I feel very much happy that I managed to cast my vote, I’m just hoping the person I voted for will be able to bring change in our area. Voting at home has helped as I can’t move a distance due to old age,” says one of the people.
In Bethlehem, members of a family of 12, who depend on government grants, want to use the power of their votes to improve the delivery of basic services.
A couple, 67-year old Elizabeth Dlamini and 70-year-old Gloris Letaoana say they want a house because they have been renting a shack for more than 25 years.
“I’m asking the president to help with a house. If that can happen, my situation will be better. definitely, I’m going to vote for ANC, I won’t change,” says Dlamini.
Letaoana says, “We want to get out of this wet place, we are now even sick, please president help us.”
Special voting in Free State:
In Metsimaholo, 65-year old, Simon Machedi is one of the special voters. “I feel ok, very well. I’m happy because the people came to me and said because I’m old, I mustn’t go there.”
Police continue to keep a close watch at various hotspots in the province.
