The IEC congratulated itself for the recent registration weekend, which was deemed successful.
Problem is, we have to look at what happened on the ground.
Well, numerous complaints have emerged from many people who, when confirming their registration, found their addresses suddenly vanishing from the voters’ rolls.
Strange, considering they’ve all lived in their current houses for many years – and voted in past elections!
On top of this, the IEC officials at the stations weren’t at all helpful and only grudgingly allowed re-registration. Their training was obviously not a priority.
Or is there another agenda?
Some of us know boundaries have changed in some wards (this not widely advertised by the IEC).
With that in mind, and considering the disappearing addresses, it’s imperative to confirm that you are registered to vote. Screaming and shouting on voting day that you have always voted won’t help against stony-faced IEC officials.
Bearing in mind that there must be strict security on voters’ rolls, how did addresses of registered voters vanish?
If voters’ rolls have been tampered with and people can’t vote in August, we are heading for an election that could be considered, dare I say it, dodgy!
The IEC had its reputation seriously dented in the by-election fiasco in Potchefstroom, and questionable leadership.
Any more problems going forward, independence flies out the door!
