The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has refuted claims that marked ballot boxes were discovered in certain parts of the Western Cape after the elections, saying that the boxes in question were empty and did not contain any ballots.
This comes after two incidents of ballot boxes that were allegedly discovered in Franschhoek and Drakenstein were reported to the police.
The ballot boxes in Franschhoek contained marked ballots. While the ballots in Drakenstein were discovered at a house in Mbekweni, PA president Gayton McKenzie said.
IEC refutes the claims
“This is the third incident of ballot boxes being found. We maintain that we have been robbed in the Western Cape,” McKenzie said.
In a response on Wednesday, IEC electoral officer Michael Hendrickse refuted the reports. He said the boxes found were flattened ballot boxes that were used during special votes. They did not contain any ballots, he said.
“The boxes found were flattened ballot boxes that were used during special votes. They did not contain any ballots because they were emptied on election day. …This was before counting, as provided for in Election Regulation 15C. The used material and boxes are rolled back to the office as soon as it is practically possible. [It’s done] after the event as per internal arrangements,” he said.
“The IEC would like to reiterate that it remains committed to cooperating with all police investigations and. In addition, [we] will conduct internal investigations where necessary.”
Police probe is underway
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that an investigation was underway.
“The circumstances are being probed. The allegation that marked ballots as cited in your enquiry were found cannot be confirmed by SAPS,” Traut said.
DA provincial chairperson Jaco Londt said the party believes the elections were free and fair.
“We have been on record that we believe there are areas where the IEC could improve. This includes amongst others the better management of high voter turnout and quicker processing of voters in long queues. We do, however, believe the election was free and fair. [We] had party agents across the entire province that took up their duty,” he said.
Several parties in the Western Cape have called on the IEC to investigate allegations of vote-rigging in certain voting stations in the province.
