Except at those stations where
voters were still waiting to cast their ballots, voting stations throughout South Africa
have begun closing their doors and switching focus to the critical process of counting
votes.
The Electoral Commission is extremely pleased with the smooth progress of voting
today despite isolated incidents where voting operations were adversely affected by
inclement weather, community unrest, power outages and some logistical
challenges.
Strong thunderstorms were reported in the early evening in the Free State where 16
temporary voting stations in Manguang were blown down by strong winds and where
heavy rain affected the conditions underfoot.
In Nelson Mandela Bay and Craddock in the Eastern Cape heavy rain and winds
also affected operations in more than 30 temporary voting stations.
In a number of areas voting after dark was affected by power outages including in
KwaZulu-Natal (specifically Umlazi), Limpopo (Vuwani and Giyani) and Gauteng
(parts of Johannesburg).
The nature of the power outages was not immediately apparent but included
instances of cable theft, weather related outages and other unscheduled
interruptions. The Electoral Commission has been working closely with ESKOM and
local municipalities to rapidly restore power in affected areas.
Voting stations have also been equipped with some emergency LED lighting and
lighting provided by the COGTA as back-up.
Counting takes place within the voting station in front of party agents and observers.
The first step in the process is to check the seals and open the ballot boxes. The
ballots contained therein are then reconciled with those issued, any remaining
unused ballots and any ballots which may have been cancelled.
Ballot boxes containing special votes are also opened and the contents verified
against lists of authorized special voters before being added to the count.
Once the reconciliation is completed, the marked ballots are sorted into piles
according to the party voted for. For ease of counting, the ballots are grouped
together in batches of tens and hundreds.
Where the choice of the voter cannot be immediately and easily determined, these
ballots are set aside for further scrutiny. Where the intention of the voter is then
determined the ballots are added to those party piles. Where the intention of the
voter cannot be reasonably determined – or where the ballot is obviously spoiled –
these are grouped together as spoiled ballots. The Presiding Officer makes the final
determination of this.
The ballots for each party are counted and recounted to ensure accuracy and the
results captured on two duplicate results slips which reflect the voting station, the
number of cast ballots, the number of votes for each party and the number of spoiled
ballots.
The results slips are signed by party agents present who are also encouraged to
record the details of the results for themselves (including by taking a photograph of
the results slip).
One result slip is then posted on the door of the voting station while the other is
taken by the Presiding Officer to the local IEC office where it is scanned and the data
entered into the results system using a double capture system to minimize any
human error.
Once audited by independent auditors, the results are released and are
simultaneously visible to all those with access to the results system – including
Electoral Commission, political parties, observers and the media. Parties can verify
the captured results against their copy of the original results slip to ensure accuracy.
The length of the process depends on a range of factors including the number of
votes cast at the voting station, the number of political parties contesting the ballots,
and the number of clearly marked or unclearly marked ballots.
The conditions of the voting station – including whether it is a tent or permanent
structure and the quality of the lighting and facilities also greatly affect the length of
the process.
Once the final results are posted, all materials from the voting station are packed and
transported under secure transport to capture sites where they are logged and
stored. By law all ballots must be securely retained for six months in case of
objections.
The first results from voting districts with the smallest number of voters are expected
to reflect on the results system before midnight tonight
