The Independent Electoral Commission has refuted allegations of vote rigging at one of its offices in KwaZulu Natal. This comes after videos circulated on social media showing boxed ballot papers at the commission storage facility in Chesterville and Hammersdale. The allegations were made by MK Party supporters.  

THERE IS NO VOTE RIGGING 

In a statement yesterday, IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela clarified that the videos show their planned logistical arrangements and storage of election materials as they prepare for the first day of special voting this morning. "These are legitimate and authorised arrangements for the distribution of ballot papers and other bulk material. The planned security measures were that the trucks distributing ballot papers are escorted by SAPS to the local storage site. These storage sites will then be guarded on a 24-hours basis. This arrangement would ensure that the storage sites are protected against unauthorised entry, burglary, and tampering with election materials and ensure detailed control and recording of all items in storage,' she said, adding that the people seen in the video entered the warehouse without authorisation and filmed their unauthorised activities. Bapela further said that MK Party members were at the warehouse yesterday and the commission specifically instructed their leadership to tell them to immediately leave the warehouse premises as the commission needed to finalise the distribution of election materials. "No party will be allowed to gain entry into the warehouse premises of the commission,' she said.

THREATS ON IEC OFFICIAL 

In addition to the allegations of vote rigging, the IEC reported that one of its officials in the same province was disturbed at home in the middle of the night regarding bulk material stored at the Baptist Church voting station in Chesterville. This bulk electoral material, which includes voting booths, voting station signage/banners, and new unfolded ballot boxes, was subsequently taken to the Cato Manor police station in eThekwini. "We further note another incident in eThekwini where a presiding officer was woken at home in the middle of the night about bulk materials stored at the voting station in Chesterville. It is part of the logistical plan for the commission to deliver bulk material to voting stations ahead of election day. This is meant to ensure that voting stations open on time as only security material such as ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting,' Bapela added. She condemns threats to their staff and said that no party, nor its representatives have the authority to gain access to private homes of electoral staff. "Worse still, no party, nor its representatives, may take control of election material without being authorised to do so. We assure the public that additional measures have been implemented to secure these various storage sites across the country. We confirm that the commission has possession of all election materials shown in these videos. This electoral material is being prepared for distribution to voting stations in time for the special votes on 27 May 2024,'.