Late objections could change local results in KwaZulu-Natal
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Preliminary results of the local elections in KwaZulu-Natal could still change because of late appeals being considered by South Africa’s electoral commission. Its provincial head, Ntombifuthi Masinga, said the objections could alter results in some wards and municipalities before final validation.
Preliminary results of the local elections in KwaZulu-Natal could still change, as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), responsible for organising elections, considers objections filed late. Ntombifuthi Masinga, the IEC’s provincial electoral head, said the appeals could alter some results at polling station, ward and municipal level, according to IOL.
The commission must decide whether to reject the objections or allow them to be considered despite their late submission under Section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act. The seven-day deadline given to the IEC to schedule the results expires on Wednesday 11 November, Ntombifuthi Masinga said. KwaZulu-Natal accounts for 11% of objections filed nationally.
The province recorded a turnout of 49%, a few points higher than the national average, while accounting for 21% of registered voters in South Africa. The rate of invalid ballots stood at 1.45%. The IEC also dismissed 25 temporary election officials during the voting period for various breaches, including partisan behaviour at polling stations and failure to comply with electoral rules, according to IOL.
The results currently being announced therefore remain provisional, Ntombifuthi Masinga said, urging political parties and the public not to regard them as final. The situation follows the examination of 446 objections in KwaZulu-Natal and the verification of 87 results in the province, reported on 7 November.
