IEC confident all systems in place for free, fair election

South Africans head to the polls on Wednesday in what has been described as the most hotly contested election since 1994.

IEC chair Vuma Mashinini briefed the media on Tuesday night on the commission's state of readiness ahead of voting day.

"The IEC says it is satisfied it has done everything in its power to prepare for these elections which are the largest yet undertaken in South Africa," he said.

Security concerns 

Additional security forces have been deployed throughout the country, especially in high risk areas to ensure voting is not disrupted. 

"While the vast majority of the country has seen a peaceful build up to the elections, there have been isolated areas marked by violence and protest action," Mashinini said. "The Electoral Commission appeals to all citizens to uphold the values of our Constitution and the rule of law and to make their voices heard through the ballot box."

Selfies

Mashinini said taking a photograph or selfie of one's marked ballot paper is illegal.

"This is essential to protect the secrecy and integrity of their vote and the process. We encourage voters to rather take a picture of their marked thumb to show they have voted and to post these on social media with the hashtag #ivoted to encourage further participation."

Inclement weather

Voters have been encouraged to dress warmly when they head to the polls as cold, wet and windy conditions have been forecast for election day. 

Gail force winds are expected in both the Eastern Cape and Western Cape starting late on Tuesday as a cold front moves into the interior of the country from South-West to North-East.

The cold front will be accompanied by rain in the southern and south eastern parts of the country. The coastal corridor from Cape Town to East London will experience 60 percent chance of rain for most of tomorrow. Durban is likely to experience rain in the late afternoon towards the closing of voting stations.

Light snowfall has also been forecast for Sutherland, Beaufort, Pietermaritzburg, Rhodes, Barkley East, Mount Fletcher, Qacha's Nek and Zastron.

Political campaigning 

The IEC says it is against the law to hold any political gatherings from midnight on Tuesday until midnight on Wednesday. 

"Political parties have had many months to spread their message and to convince voters. The Electoral Commission appeals for parties to now allow voters some respite from campaigning to reflect on their choice. 

"This is not to say that voting is a sombre occasion but parties should respect the privacy and choice of voters on Election Day - along with the provisions of the electoral legislation which prevents political gatherings on Election Day and any political activity within voting stations."

The IEC stresses that low-key campaigning including the presence of party members outside of voting stations is not illegal as long as these activities do not interfere with the voting process.

Transparency

The IEC has called on political parties to deploy their party agents who will participate in monitoring and overseeing the voting and counting process. 

"They must satisfy themselves - and their parties - of the transparency and credibility of the process and that all laws were upheld by all participants. Observers too must ensure that the rules, regulations and electoral processes are implemented without irregularity," Mashinini said.

A total of 200 000 election staff have been employed for elections.

"They must at all times uphold and implement the laws impartially, fairly and consistently."

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All you need to know

Voting stations will be open from 07:00 until 19:00 on Wednesday.

Mashinini said all those in the queue to vote at 19:00 will not be turned away and will be allowed to make their mark.

A total of 26.3million South Africans are registered to vote.

There are 22 613 voting stations across the country.

Voters must vote where they are registered and be in possession of a valid South African ID.

Each voter in a metropolitan council will receive two ballot papers - one for their ward candidate and one for a political party. In addition, voters in local councils will receive an additional political party ballot paper for the district council. 

Voters are reminded that each ballot paper must be stamped on the reverse and unstamped ballots will not be counted.

Conclusion

Mashinini concluded by saying: "It is time now for all of us to work together to ensure that these elections are free and fair and that the outcome reflects the will of the people of South Africa."