WHILE the DA celebrates their landslide victory of yesterday’s by-elections, some residents experienced hassles while attempting to cast their votes.
Karen Wilson, an uMhlanga Rocks resident, was shocked and outraged when she was swiftly told by the election officer that she was not eligible to vote at the arrived at the Northwood School voting station. “I reported to the registrar table inside the building, where they cross off your name and address, but after much looking and paging through the voters roll by the official, I was told I was not on it, and not able to vote. An ‘election officer’ then came over, had a look and confirmed this. I was astounded and explained that this was where I always voted,” said Wilson.
The frustrated resident also reported that her dilemma was only rectified after MP Dean Macpherson checked her details and confirmed that she was in fact allowed to vote at the Northwood School station. “After having another look at the roll, my details were suddenly found, and I was finally allowed to cast my vote. What if Dean had not been there? I would have been wrongfully turned away and not allowed to vote. I wonder how many voters this actually happen to?” asked Wilson.
According to Wilson, her mother also experienced similar difficulty earlier in the day, as the official was also having trouble finding her details on the registrar list.
Shaun Ryley, the new councillor for Ward 36, that there was a lot of confusion surrounding yesterdays by-elections. “Because residents were voting for council the voting process was a lot different than the national elections. During the national elections people were allowed to vote anywhere and outside of their wards, but during the by-elections people were only allowed to vote within their wards,” explained Ryley.
What’s more said Ryley there were boundary changes between the wards. “In some instances husbands and wives, who live in the same area, had to vote at different stations, as some people were automatically moved and other fell through the cracks,” said Ryley.
But Ryley said he did not suspect any foul play. “As far as I am concerned these issues were a mere oversight or system errors,” he said.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela was not available for comment.
