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IEC assures voters of overall integrity of the electoral process

Two separate instances have been brought to the attention of the IEC in which it is alleged voters were able tocast more than one vote at different voting stations.

In light of serious allegations regarding two potential instances of double voting, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has assured voters and all stakeholders of the overall integrity of the electoral process.

Two separate instances have been brought to the attention of the IEC in which it is alleged voters were able tocast more than one vote at different voting stations.

In a statement released by the IEC, it says they view the allegations in the most serious light and has launched investigations into these incidents.

Also read: Elections 2019: The IEC to conduct a sample audit of election results

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela says fortunately the election process contains a number of checks and safeguards which together serve to protect the integrity of the process.

“We have layers of security, including the voters’ roll, which only allows registered voters to vote – and only allows for a single registration per voter.

“The requirement for voters to produce a valid ID document before they vote and scanning of ID documents prior to voting.

“All voters’ thumbs are marked with ink and the completion of a form containing the details of voters and the signing of a sworn declaration by voters where they vote at a voting station at which they are not registered.

“We also have party agents and observers monitoring all aspects of the voting, counting and results capturing process.

“There were built-in system-based exception reports for which various tolerance levels have been set,” she explains.

Bopape says all of these leave a detailed footprint of voter participation in the process and can be used both separately and in combination to identify instances of electoral fraud.

“As part of the process of finalising the results of the elections, the IEC will assess data from scanners, VEC 4 forms (used when voters vote outside their voting districts) and the voters’ roll to identify potential risks.

“Where evidence is found to support electoral fraud, the IEC will firstly quarantine the results of the affected voting districts and secondly, pursue criminal charges against the perpetrators,” she says.

She added the electoral process also allows for objections to be raised by political parties throughout the process.

“This includes instances where they believe a voter was ineligible to vote or has voted more than once.

“The IEC appeals to any party or person who may have evidence of any electoral fraud or significant irregularity to report this immediately so it can be thoroughly investigated,” she says.

The IEC will not allow the potential misconduct of one or two individuals – be they voters or election officials – to taint the overall outcome of these elections.

The integrity of the results is paramount to the credibility of all elections and all election results are only finally captured and displayed in the results system where the IEC is satisfied in the integrity of the results.

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