Officers from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department have been deployed to voting stations across the city to maintain law and order.
This is as polling stations opened on Saturday morning for those who would like to cast their special votes.
Voting stations across South Africa will be open on Saturday and Sunday between 8 am and 5 pm to allow for special votes.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar says officers will maintain a strong presence at polling stations.
“Officers are on duty today in the regions checking traffic management outside polling stations where there are special votes taking place. The officers will continue to be visible outside the polling stations when they will close later this afternoon and there are also tow trucks of JMPD during the period on standby who will be used for towing of vehicles causing obstructions or where they are disrupting the free flow of traffic,” says Minnaar.
LGE 2021 | Special votes reserved for Saturday and Sunday
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says those who need special votes but did not apply for them will not be able to vote this weekend.
It says the process has to remain transparent and fair to everyone. Approximately 26-million South Africans are eligible to vote in the polls, with over 95 000 candidates running for elections.
IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for Outreach, Mawethu Mosery, says the commission is ready to start with special votes on Saturday.
“Over a hundred thousand that we declined when they applied for special votes. We need to inform political parties because they are part of the process. So we say these are the applicants. These are the approved. This is how we will visit them and this is where we will expect them. So all of that detail must be shared upfront. That is why we closed special votes two weeks ago.”
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says it’s all systems go for the November 1 polls
