Eastern Cape deputy speaker for the outgoing sixth administration of government, Mlibo Qoboshiyane believed there was confusion with voters being turned away in their traditional voting stations.
Names not appearing to be registered
This was because their names did not appear as having been registered in their traditional voting stations, but were instead attached to some other voting stations – far away.
He said people were supposed to have checked up until May 27, that they were correctly placed to vote where they stayed and registered to vote before Wednesday.
“And a number of people are not appearing even though some of them have re-registered using that particular policy provision,” he said.
“We have had to take some people from Mthatha to Libode (30 km away) as the party agent of the ANC. We must always remain vigilant and prepared for such eventualities.
“To assist them, because people do not appear where they think they have registered.
“And I think and believe that is what is going to dampen the spirits of some in these elections.”
He said the confusion was because people did not re-register where they were going to vote, as a result of an anticipation that, because they are traditional voters at a voting station, they would simply appear.
And because things have changed and, as a result of some demarcations, people are appearing elsewhere now.
“We had to take others to Mthatha West, but they are traditional voters of Mthatha City Hall, it’s causing a lot confusion and anxiety, but that is why we hear as party volunteers,” Qoboshiyane said.
Good voting experience
A former spokesperson of the ANC in the Eastern Cape, Qoboshiyane, said as for himself, he had just cast his vote in Misty Mount near Libode in Magcakeni Senior Primary School.
He said the experience of voting had been good, having voted first in 1994, when this country first tested democratic elections.
“The feeling was more or less the same, 1994 and 2024, as we count 30 years of freedom. What is nice about is that I have seen the transition. I have experienced the past and the present,” he said.
He said he had witnessed the development not only in town but in communities, admitting that a lot still needs to be done.
Qoboshiyane had voted with his family, his twin sister, his wife while his kids are voting in their schools.
He said the elections were generally peaceful and he was enjoying himself, and that there was lot respect and understanding among voters.
“People are conversing and discussing. And I thing that is the spirit we want to see when there are provincial and national elections like these ones,” he said.
He said he hoped the fact that there were now three ballot papers for the first time in these elections did not overwhelm the voter, as this was a clear indication that the country’s democracy was maturing.
“But generally I think there is peace and people are voting in numbers,” Qoboshiyane said.
