The ANC in Kwazulu-Natal said marked ballot papers were found in Ulundi before the voting station in the area officially opened on Wednesday.
”We are shocked to learn that two boxes containing 100 ballot papers, which have already been marked, have been found,” said ANC spokesperson Nomfundo Mcetywa.
She said the ballot boxes were found at 19B South Hall in Ulundi. The party was certain the papers were not the special votes cast earlier in the week as they were already sealed in envelopes.
She said the ANC had alerted law enforcement agencies and the Independent Electoral Commission.
KwaZulu-Natal IEC officer Mawethu Mosery said he could not comment immediately.
”We are still investigating the allegations. I will be able to comment as soon as the police gives me an update,” he said.
Mosery said this was a police matter, because ”there’s a criminal element there”.
‘One of a kind’
Meanwhile, the IEC said from its base in Pretoria on Wednesday morning the election was ”one of a kind”.
Deputy chief electoral officer Mosotho Moepya also labelled the election as a ”defining moment for South African politics”.
The IEC centre was quiet as last-minute preparations for the day’s events took place. Some IEC officials arrived at the centre as early as 4.30am on the chilly morning.
As the sun began to rise, security guard Faraisina Rathogwa headed straight for the coffee table. Rathogwa had left Atteridgeville at 5am to reach the venue on time, but did not mind as it was a very important day.
”We were waiting for this day to come, so why would I mind getting up early today,” he said.
Another security guard, Harry Silawule, from Mamelodi, would vote later in the day, but first had to take care of ”business” by showing up for work.
He left home at 4.30am to reach the IEC centre
by 6am.
IEC officials and members of the media watched President Kgalema Motlanthe cast his ballot on television monitors set up inside the centre, which is surrounded by security guards and police. – Sapa