By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the Electoral Commission Sy Mamabolo says the IEC is highly satisfied with the start of special voting.
This despite several voting stations being unable to open due to destruction caused to tents as a results of the stormy weather in parts of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Nort West on Friday evening.
Mamabolo added that 1 174 voting stations received no applications for special votes and that these would remain closed until Monday November 1.
He also took the opportunity to reassure voters that pens will be available at all voting stations throughout the weekend and on Monday, and that these will be santized after every use to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He did,however, encourage voters to take along their own pens when voting if it all possible.
Voting stations opened at 8am on Saturday morning for eligible voters to cast their special vote. A special vote allows a registered voter who cannot travel to their voting station on 1 November to vote earlier because they are either physically infirm,disabled or pregnant, or cannot vote at their voting station on election day due to other reasons.
Applications for special voting closed on October 4 with 1.1 million approved special votes for this election.
Meanwhile eight voting stations under the Mkhambathini Local Municipality,at uMgungundlovu district in KwaZulu-Natal, have not opened.
This is due to threats received from certain community members.
The voting stations in wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 in the Mkhambathini Local Municipality have been locked with padlocks.
Elsewhere polling stations in Nyandeni, Mdikane, Tylden, Kholweni, Matatiele and Entilini were closed on Saturday due to community protests, resulting in the closure of at least six voting stations.
The local government elections will be taking place on Monday. Saturday and Sunday have been set aside for special votes.