GEORGE NEWS - By closing time at 21:00 tonight, the focus of the political parties shifted to the counting process.
The first results are expected to be made available shortly before midnight.
No serious incidents were reported by day-end.
Political parties were still optimistic that there would be a high voter turnout, but some representatives added that heavy rains that occurred in the late afternoon, early evening, could have had an impact on voters that waited till the last moment.
Chairperson of the DA’s East Region, Jaco Londt, said the party was hoping for a voter’s turnout of more than 60%. “It seems that everything went well and peaceful. The DA has done everything possible to keep the province. We are now waiting in anticipation if the results will reflect that.”
Londt said at the end of Thursday there could be an indication of what’s going on in the province. He added that it wouldn’t be the official result of the IEC.
Darryl Sauer, chairperson of the ANC in George, said the party is still positive. He added that the rain had definitely influenced the situation. “Hopefully the majority of the voters have voted at closing time,” he said.
Johann du Toit, leader of the ACDP in George, also mentioned the impact of the weather on voter turnout. Du Toit said the ACDP is aware of possible irregularities for example the distribution of food parcels and t-shirts by a certain political party.
Adv, Gert van Niekerk, Freedom Front Plus leader in George, confirmed this statement, saying the said party distributed pamphlets and t-shirts although it has been agreed between parties and the IEC that no canvassing will take place on voting day. Van Niekerk was certain that the FF Plus grew in support. “At this stage we are not yet certain of the percentage.”
He said the voter turnout today exceeded the turnout of voters in the by election on 10 April, in Ward 18.
PBI leader Virgill Gericke said his party did well and that there is still place for improvement. Gericke also expressed his concern with alleged canvassing that took place on voting day. “I am considering laying a complaint with the IEC regarding the matter.”
Brendon Adams, Icosa leader in George, said the low voter turnout can’t be blamed on the weather. “I think the people are tired of promises that has been made by the guys who won the last time. The music played but the feet are few. It didn’t feel like an election, but rather like an event that had to take place.”
No serious incidents
Voting day in George was without any serious incidents. So says Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie.
Before the elections George police officers underwent detailed training in preparation for election day. According Pojie, police in the Southern Cape received adequate training to successfully manage any incident during the election. “Thankfully, in George, we did not have to apply any of the emergency training on voting day,” he said.
Specialised units like Public Order Policing (Pop) supplemented local police stations and were deployed at so-called hot spots in the area.
Maj Genl Oswald Reddy, Eden Cluster Commander specially went to as far as Plettenberg Bay and Knysna to address members who were deployed during the elections to personally brief and thank them for their dedication in creating a safe and secure environment for citizens to cast their votes.
He also visited members in the greater George area, including Thembalethu, Conville and George.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
