IEC officials accompanied by Poitical party agents descended on Raborife street on 26 May to assist registered special voters in their homes as stipulated by the Independent Electoral Commission. IEC preciding officer Mpho Nekhabambe and his assistant official Mandla James Moshane, and the confident political party agents, Lehlohonolo Maitse, Kgotso Mafora, and Jerry Khanyile administered the special voting of Ms Adelaide Mvelase where they pleasantly guided her on the voting procedure and ensured that she is familiar with the voting procedure and her voting secrecy.
They then proceeded to the home of Ms Paulina Mokoena in the same street who was eagerly anticipating the officials’ visit from morning and was delighted to cast her special and milestone vote in the secrecy and comfort of her home. The officials clearly directed her to the voting procedure and genuinely sealed her ballots envelope into the mobile ballot box.
Based at the Samuel Mangala school voting station in ward 48, Dobsonville, the officials and party agents indicated some of the challenges they face when visiting homes for special votes were that in some instances, the Identity Document of the voter has been misplaced or that it is in the children’s possession. In some cases, an elderly person is admitted to hospital and they couldn’t inform IEC officials prior, creating a challenge for them to cast their special votes. They mentioned that their recorded roll of special voters in their area of operation is 72 whereas, and thereby conducting 17 home visits.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
