Late ballot paper deliveries affect special voting in Cape Town
As a result, 217 voting stations in the city could not open at 8am as planned.
Lindsay Dentlinger
3-ballot papers / Image: Supplied by the IEC
Supplied by the IEC
The Cape Town metro is grappling with the late delivery of ballot papers on the first day of special voting for the municipal elections.
As a result, 217 voting stations in the city could not open at 8 am as planned.
Western Cape Chief Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse has apologised for the delays and says voting stations will open when ballots are delivered.
The IEC says despite its best efforts and those of the printing company, there has been an unforeseen delay in having all the ballots ready for early voting.
Monday and Tuesday have been set aside for special voting for the elderly, infirm or those who will be working on election day on Wednesday.
On Monday, several reports were received of voters who turned up early to vote only to be met with no ballot papers having been received at their voting stations.
The delays are widespread across the metro, but provincial chief electoral officer, Michael Hendrickse, says no problems have been experienced in the outlying areas of the province.
He says the situation remains fluid, and voting stations are opening as ballots are received.