/ 19 May 2011

Capturing of results proceeding well, says IEC

Capturing Of Results Proceeding Well

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was well on track with capturing results of the local government elections on Thursday.

At 2pm, Less than 24 hours after polls closed around the country, 71,1% of the results had already been completed and released.

IEC chief executive Pansy Tlakula said: “The capturing and validation of results is proceeding well. Yesterday [Wednesday] an impression was created that because we had withdrawn our scanners in some voting stations the voting processes would be negatively affected. This is not correct.”

The IEC results centre in Pretoria gradually started filling with more high-profile leaders on Thursday afternoon in anticipation of the final result. At the ANC table, Cabinet ministers chatted while cameras clicked.

Milling around was Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe, and his deputy, Andries Nel.

Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who graced the results centre earlier in the day wearing ANC colours.

Voter turnout
The IEC’s Tlakula said the preliminary voter turnout based on results released thus far was at 56,4%.

“However, it is too early to talk about an increase in voter turnout as most metros are not yet in. Let’s just wait until we have everything and then we can give you an accurate figure for the voter turnout and spoilt ballots as well,” she said.

At 2pm the percentage of results received from metropolitan councils were as follows:

  • Nelson Mandela Bay: 98,8%
  • Buffalo City: 84,6%
  • Ekurhuleni: 95,1%
  • City of Johannesburg: 19,8%
  • Mangaung 50,4%
  • Tshwane 55,5%
  • eThekwini: 22%
  • City of Cape Town: 34,2%

Ekurhuleni was the only metro council that had an application for a recount. The IEC has ordered a recount at the affected voting station.

Tlakula added that the capturing and validation process should be completed by Friday, and results are expected to be announced on Saturday.