The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says the theft of ballot boxes and stationery at a voting station in KwaZulu-Natal will not affect the voting process.
Empty ballot boxes and stationery were stolen from Amahlongwa Community Hall, a voting station in Umdoni Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The theft was discovered on Monday, 3 November, by IEC officials who arrived at the station to deliver ballot papers.
KZN Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga confirmed the incident during a media briefing on the administration of special votes.
Masinga said an investigation was underway to establish how the break-in occurred, despite a security guard being stationed at the voting station.
She also confirmed that non-sensitive materials, including stationery and signage, were stolen during the incident.
Masinga explained that the IEC keeps most of its bulk voting materials at voting stations overnight, while only sensitive and security materials are escorted by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“It will have no impact whatsoever on the process because we always supply more than enough ballot boxes at voting stations,” she said.
