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Vote counting in Northern Cape, Eastern Cape nearing completion

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The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Eastern Cape says the local government elections were a resounding success despite minor disruptions.

Sixty-one political parties and 270 independent candidates were contesting for votes.

The province has captured over 80% of the results.

 

Provincial Electoral Officer Khayakazi Magudumana says the turnout however was disappointing.

“Our voter turnout is sitting at 36%, which is relatively low. It is a concern that people choose not to vote when there is dissatisfaction than choosing a person or a party that is different than the one they chose in the last election. And it seems to be a trend; if this particular party that I love hasn’t kept the promise then I stay away from the voting station,” says Magudumana.

Vote counting progree in the Eastern Cape: 

Northern Cape 

Meanwhile, vote counting has almost been concluded in the Northern Cape with capturing of just a few voting stations outstanding.

Provincial Head Bonolo Modise says they are now left with capturing results from the Joe Morolong Local Municipality after load shedding affected a voting station in the area on Tuesday night.

Preliminary results indicate that the African National Congress in the province has dropped its support from 59% in 2016 to 49.5%.

This is followed by the Democratic Alliance at 21.41% down from 32% in 2016, and the EFF at 9.05% up from 7% in 2016.

Modise says they should be done soon.

“We have decided to capture the results of Joe Morolong at our Ga-Segonyana office, which is not far. The treason for that is because we experienced a bit of difficulty with power yesterday and we just want to be safe that a repeat of that does not happen. This morning we should be able to complete those outstanding results.”

IEC officials in the Northern Cape say they should finalise votes soon: 

 

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