Phuti Mosomane
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) launched the National Results Operation Centre (ROC), described as “a theatre of electoral transparency,” by CEO Sy Mamabolo on Wednesday at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Mamabolo said the ROC will serve as the beating heart of a democratic process, bringing together commission members, operational areas, representatives of political parties and independent candidates, observer missions and media representatives from across the globe.
There will be ROCs across all the nine provinces.
“As we stand on the eve of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, allow me to express the profound gratitude of the Electoral Commission for the unwavering commitment of all South Africans to upholding the sacred principles of our democracy,” he said.
The Commission announced the completion of ballot printing and delivery of over 90 million ballots meticulously prepared for this historic occasion.
Voters will be presented with three ballot papers: The National Compensatory Ballot for political parties, the Provincial Ballot, and the Regional Ballot for parties and independent candidates.
“We remind all voters of the sacred principle: “One ballot, One Mark.” It is with great honour that we welcome a record-breaking 160 organisations, collectively deploying over 5 000 observers from around the world, to witness and validate the integrity of our electoral process,” Mamabolo said.
On 27 May and 28 May, the Commission will accept Special Votes from the 1,668,076 South Africans who were approved for this category of votes.
The Commission will visit 624,593 voters at their homes or places of confinement, and 1,043,483 will be assisted at voting stations where they are registered.
The provinces with the most approved special votes for both home visits and voting station visits are Gauteng (335,480), KwaZulu-Natal (320,010), Eastern Cape (286,059), Limpopo (159,800), Western Cape (137,558), North West (132,627), Mpumalanga (126,112), Free State (86,908), and Northern Cape (83,504).
Mamabolo said the appointment of 202,500 voting officials, including a new category of staff dedicated to enhancing the counting quality from the 23,303 voting stations underscores a resolute dedication to upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
An important milestone was reached on 18 May when the first votes in the NPE2024 were cast abroad, said Mamabolo.
The IEC recorded a total of 56,800 votes cast at 111 foreign missions around the world. Those registered to vote at the London voting station were given an extra day – May 19 – because of the high number of voters registered there.
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