[WATCH] Four voting stations were temporarily closed in Vuwani due to unrest, says IEC

POLOKWANE – The Electoral Commission says they are highly satisfied and encouraged with the progress made during Election Day throughout the province, despite unrest in the Vuwani area.

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This, after four voting stations were temporarily closed on Wednesday due to unrest, intimidation and threats.

Speaking at the Limpopo Results Operation Center on Wednesday night, Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta said despite being happy with the voting process, there were setbacks including those caused by on-going community unrest in isolated areas which had affected election operations.

Residents in the area are unhappy and demand that government return the area under the jurisdiction of the Makhado municipality when the municipal demarcation window period opens after the area had been incorporated into the Collins Chabane municipality after the 2016 local government elections.

Mateta went on to say that despite the temporary closures, the remaining 30 voting stations in the area had recorded good participation of more than 9 200 at around 19:00 on Wednesday night.

“Future efforts to resolve these and provide voters in these areas with an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote are continuing and will continue for as long as is necessary,” she said.

Mateta also noted that four voting stations in the province struggled to open as locks of schools were changed overnight and opening was delayed. Furthermore, in Ward 5 of Lepelle-Nkumpi, residents attempted to influence voters not to participate in elections.

“These acts of intimidation are prohibited and must be discouraged at all costs,” she concluded.

Review is currently awaiting information from police regarding any arrests made in the area.

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