Elections 2021: South Africans Frustrated With Voting Station Glitches

• The Independent Electoral Commission has reported glitches at voting stations nationwide for today's municipal elections
• The special vote this past weekend also experienced glitches, including a lack of devices that enable disabled people to vote
• South Africans took to Twitter to voice their frustration at the problems facing various voting stations

PRETORIA- The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has reported various problems at polling stations across the country.

These glitches include ballot paper shortages, lack of indelible ink, and some voting stations not opening at 7 am, as specified by the IEC.

There have also been complaints of COVID-19 protocols not being adhered to by both voters and election officials alike, reports News24.

The special vote also experienced glitches

This past weekend South Africans who needed to make use of the special vote had the opportunity to do so. According to SABC News, the Free State reportedly experienced glitches in accommodating special voters.

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Two voting stations did not open at the specified time, and five others had their tents blown away due to strong winds.

There were also voting stations in the province which did not have the necessary equipment and accommodations for disabled people, such as the Braille template for blind voters.

South Africans upset by voting station glitches

South Africans vented their frustrations with the problems facing different polling stations on Twitter. Here's what they had to say:

@MannieNeeraj said:

"They say we must come out in numbers. No ink, no ballot papers, net result no vote!"

@Samirah02 said:

"How is it possible to run out of ballots what nonsense is this?"

@Marius43721082 said:

"And some others had only one scanner. Took us 4 hours to draw to x's. IEC may be fair, but highly inefficient. And social distancing is but a word. If I knew this I may have not bothered. Is that what IEC wants?"

Read also

IEC probes vote rigging allegations in Durban, IFP accuses ANC of tampering with special votes

@melldippenaar shared:

"What a joke!!! This is what happens when incapable people are trying to organize an election!"

Municipal elections kick off in South Africa

Earlier Briefly News reported on the municipal elections kicking off across South Africa.

Election day has arrived, and various topics are trending online, including #PutSouthAfricaFirst. The trend revolves around Mzansians fighting against illegal foreign nationals in the country.

Judging from the tweets being shared, #VoteActionSA seems to be part of almost every tweet about #PutSouthAfricansFirst. Many Saffas seem to be frustrated by the EFF and the ANC and are vowing to put ActionSA in power as soon as they can.

ActionSA's leader Herman Mashaba has made promises in the past about ensuring that South African citizens are above all else if he was in power.

Source: Briefly News