The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is investigating allegations of double voting at various stations.
IEC Commissioner, Mosotho Moepya, briefing the media at the National Results Centre in Pretoria late last night, 8 May, said the commission had received reports of two separate incidences where it was alleged that voters were able to cast more than one vote at different voting stations.
IEC Commissioner Mosotho Moepya assures integrity of elections and says there were security measures put in place #SAElections2019 @NE_Tribune pic.twitter.com/r9pG0OiKKr
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) May 8, 2019
Despite the claims, Moepya has assured South Africans of the overall integrity of the elections.
“The commission views these allegations in the most serious light. The electoral commission will not allow the potential misconduct of one or two individuals – be they voters or election officials to taint the overall outcome of the elections,” said Moepya.
IEC Commissioner Mosotho Moepya says they will go through the allegations of the layer of security that was breached, investigate and provide feedback. They have nothing to hide. #SAElections2019 @NE_Tribune pic.twitter.com/Mja998f3uT
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) May 8, 2019
Other allegations of security compromise included the removal of ink markings on thumbs and the flouting of procedure by some IEC officials at voting stations. Furthermore, there were allegations that some voters were given multiple slips, enabling them to vote more than once. “We want to make it clear that the slip is to help facilitate the queue and reconcile data. It does not mean the person voted more than once.”
Allegations brought to the IEC included removal of ink markings on thumbs and flouting of procedure by IEC officials at voting stations #SAElections2019 @NE_Tribune
— Nkosazana (@LungileDube) May 8, 2019
Moepya appealed to parties or people who may have evidence of any electoral fraud or significant irregularity to report it immediately. Where evidence is found to support electoral fraud, Moepya said the commission will quarantine the results of the affected voting districts and pursue criminal charges.
“The integrity of the results is paramount to the credibility of all elections.”
