Special votes kicks off smoothly
No problems reported as special votes were cast throughout KwaDukuza yesterday.
South African citizens who qualified for the special vote cast their votes throughout KwaDukuza and the rest of the country yesterday.
Special votes were cast by people unable, for health reasons and other circumstances, to get to their voting stations on May 7.
The Courier paid a visit to the Salt Rock library, where a number of residents gathered to exercise their democratic right two days before the rest of the country.
Ward 22 councillor Ann McDonnell was overseeing house visits for people who were unable to get down to the library to vote.
In the Salt Rock area, only 18 people registered to cast a special vote with 13 of those being house visits. In the KwaDukuza area, 959 house visits were applied for and 134 people had applied to cast their special votes at voting stations.
McDonnell accompanied Independent Electoral Commission’s staff Rachel Gumede and Ivy Khumalo to the homes of the 13 people to allow them to vote.
The councillor commended the IEC on the smooth running of the process, even though this was the first election where people could apply for special votes.
“My only problem is that it was not very well advertised. I received a number of calls today from people asking how they could apply for a special vote. Unfortunately it was too late.”
The Courier went with McDonnell, Gumede and Khumalo who visited Salt Rock resident Muriel Robbs to take her vote.
“It is really helpful to have the special vote. The house visit allows you to cast your vote even when you are sick,” Robbs said.
She also said she had no problem while applying for the privilege and was happy with the system.
Robbs signed the ballot and put her vote into a sealed envelope which will be kept safely at the IEC offices until the votes are officially counted.
