South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged his compatriots to turn up in big numbers to vote in new leaders as they head to national elections on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa told the 27 million registered voters that this year’s elections should also be taken as the country’s 25th anniversary of democracy.
On its part, the Independent Electoral Commission called on every South African citizen to ensure the elections take place in the spirit of 1994.
“Let voting continue peacefully, calmly and without disruption and let us once again show the world that South Africa remains a shining light of democracy in action,” Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said at a briefing at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Pretoria on Tuesday.
As Tuesday marked the final day for special voters to cast their ballot, Mambolo said the two days of special voting helped iron out teething problems and ensure everything is in place and ready for polling day.
Among the challenges encountered was a crime-related incident on Monday, the first day of the special votes.
“A group of knife-wielding men confronted a group of election officials conducting home visits in Giyani, Limpopo Province and confiscated 93 unused provincial ballot papers which they destroyed.
“Fortunately no-one was injured and the cast ballots were secured and not affected,” Mamabolo said, adding that two suspects have been arrested and are in police
NM/as/APA