GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - During the local government election on Monday 1 November there have been some complaints relating to irregularities that allegedly occurred within the Dr Beyers Naude municipal area.
The IEC confirmed that they have indeed received several complaints and stated that they have followed up on every complaint that was brought to their attention.
However, they indicated that they will only be able to conduct a proper investigation to verify the legitimacy, or otherwise, of the allegations upon receipt of a written complaint accompanied by evidence.
According to Amos Mcinga, President of the Service Delivery Movement (SDM), those in yellow made themselves guilty of misconduct relating to intimidation of voters at the voting station at Ngqeba Secondary School in uMasizakhe. Allegedly, this has been reported to the IEC, who intervened and put an end to it.
Anele Ngoyo, EFF candidate for Ward 5, says that he is extremely dissatisfied with how the local government election in the Dr Beyers Naude was conducted. Ngoyo also claims to have witnessed similar irregularities and misconduct on the part of the political party in question at the voting station at Isibane Primary School in uMasizakhe.
According to him, they have reported this to the IEC, but the IEC failed to intervene.
Ngoyo believes that the election can certainly not be regarded as free and fair due to these irregularities, primarily related to the intimidation of voters. He alleges that members of the particular political party have, for example, been threatening CWP workers that they will lose their jobs if these workers do not vote for them.
Ngoyo added that the EFF is in a position to do good work in the community, but that they are side-lined by those who have been making empty promises for decades.
Ricardo Smith, DA councillor for Ward 2, says that there have been a few minor mistakes on the part of some presiding officers, but these mistakes were explained in a meeting and have been resolved. Smith believes that the mistakes that were made cannot be regarded as irregularities.
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