The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Mpumalanga has confirmed two separate attempts to tamper with ballot boxes at voting stations located in the Steve Tshwete and Chief Albert Luthuli municipalities.
Both incidents took place on the first day earmarked for special voting, raising immediate concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
In the first incident, IEC officials were confronted by a group of individuals who demanded access to the ballot boxes. The situation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, necessitating the intervention of law enforcement.
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The police were called to manage the tense scenario and successfully ensured that the ballot boxes were delivered securely to overnight storage. This intervention by the police played a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the ballot boxes involved in this incident.
The second incident was notably different but equally troubling. IEC officials were again obstructed by a group, this time demanding to take photographs of the ballot boxes.
Initially, the officials allowed the group to photograph the boxes to de-escalate the situation. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when one individual forcefully removed a ballot box from the vehicle.
The removal of the box caused its seal to break, resulting in ballot papers spilling out. This breach in protocol was a significant concern, yet the IEC’s Thanduxolo Chembeni reassured the public that none of the special votes were compromised during this incident.
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