The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed four arrests in people in KwaZulu-Natal for alleged double voting.
Earlier there were reports of at least 19 arrests for the crime, but the IEC’s national leadership says it hasn’t been informed of the others.
The voters allegedly cast their ballots more than once due to the ineffectiveness of the commission’s indelible ink marker pens that were supplied for the elections.
The ink is said to have been washable.
The issue sparked a public outcry with some saying it will cast a doubt over the legitimacy of the polls.
#SADecides2019: IEC Media Briefing pic.twitter.com/poX5B5orGn
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 9, 2019
However, the IEC has assured South Africans of its commitment to credible election results.
It’s probing the effectiveness of the marker pens.
It has also tightened its audit process, planning roping in independent auditors to assist with the extent of alleged irregularities.
The move comes a few hours after the Economic Freedom Fighters urged the commission to take responsibility for the ineffective pens.
Watch EFF spokesperson, Mbuyiselo Ndlozi, raising concerns over alleged racism claims and double voting:
