Peaceful ballot in Buffalo
By Tabisa Mntengwana
24 April 2009
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed that there were no major incidents in Buffalo City during the national and provincial elections.
Polling day was on Wednesday, 22 April with a high voter turn out countrywide.
According to provincial electoral officer Bongani Finca, the elections were tumultuous, with a lot of energy and robust competition. Election 2009 was coming to a close and the IEC had already captured at least 95 percent of the voting district results.
There were recounts at a few major district stations, “due to some parties’ requests”, he said.
There was also a “glitch” in the production and delivery of sufficient ballot papers. Enough ballot papers were a basic requirement in any election.
Finca acknowledged that queues were long. “I struggled to find a place where I could vote quickly and return to work. There were long queues everywhere.”
Citizens came out in numbers to cast their votes. Sivenkosi Mtiya, a first time voter, made her mark at Mizamo High School in Mdantsane NU 15. “It was an exciting feeling to have finally made my voice heard and cast my vote,” she said.
Buffalo City Executive Mayor Zukisa Faku, who voted at Dalukukhanya Higher Primary School in Mdantsane NU 6, also said there poll was an emotional event.
“It was an emotional experience even though it was not the first time I was voting. The turnout of residents of Mdantsane at various voting stations, their confidence in making history, and their faith in their parties was overwhelming.”
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