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Voters help with tent poles at Windy City polls

Photo: kougademocrat.com
Photo: kougademocrat.com

Wind blew down tents at voting stations across the Nelson Mandela Bay metro — including several in Walmer‚ New Brighton‚ KwaZakhele and Booysen Park – on Wednesday morning‚ while voters at Sewende Laan were called on to hold up the tent poles before casting their ballot.

Several stations did not open on time‚ while others had to use candles for light due to a lack of electricity.

Voters at the Sewende Laan station in Booysen Park were made to work for their right to vote after winds almost toppled the voting tent for a second time on Wednesday morning.

 Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials and voters alike took turns holding up the tent poles before casting their votes as they battled strong winds.

 The tent had fallen at 3am on Wednesday morning‚ and by 10.30 it was still not secure.

 In Struandale‚ IEC presiding officer Vuyelwa Xhego said the lack of electricity hampered that centre’s early start.

 “When we got here at 5am‚ we had to use candles and we will be forced to do the same this evening; and this area is not safe. The side of the tent was also affected by the wind‚ but we managed to start on time‚” she said.

 Despite the wet and windy conditions‚ friends Vuyiswa Mqhayisa‚ 77‚ and Nombeko Khonya‚ 81‚ made their way to the Masakhane voting centre in Ward 22.

 Khonya refused the offer of help from party agents and insisted on the assistance of her friend‚ Mqhayisa.

 “I don’t trust these people. I am worried that they will sabotage my vote. That is why I asked my friend to help me vote for the party of my choice. This is the last opportunity for making our mark‚” said Khonya.

“I hope that the party I have voted for will provide jobs for our kids. That will help fight crime in our communities.”

 Voters were still queuing outside Ngene voting station at 9am‚ waiting for the station to open. Presiding officer Sithembiso Mbewana said: “We were unable to open on time as the tent fell down at night because of the wind. This morning‚ we had to assemble it but we are now preparing to open.”

 First-time voter Ntsikelelo Nyimba‚ 19‚ said he woke up at 6am to cast his vote for the first time.

 “When I came here in the morning‚ there was no tent but that did not put me off as I am here to vote for the party that will change my life‚” he said.

 In Walmer Township‚ tents blew over at the KwaNontsha and KwaNontle stations before polls opened at 7am. The deputy presiding officer at KwaNontle expressed her concern about the safety of ballot papers‚ as voters were diverted to a second tent which was overflowing.

Many in the queue of around 300 at KwaNontsha said they would vote for African National Congress ANC councillor Nceba Dwyili‚ who was killed last week.

Zoleka Skoloku‚ 40‚ had been in line since 4am and said her decision to vote for Dwyili had not changed.

“At this point I am not voting for Nceba but the organisation‚” she said.

 Best friends and neighbours Chuma Gantsho and Thembile Peter – both on crutches – said Dwyile had been an advocate for disabled people.

By 9am‚ 344 people had voted at KwaNontsha‚ 375 at John Masiza Primary School and 107 had voted at Lower Walmer Primary School‚ all in Walmer.

 Everything started well at the JB Mnyanda voting station and‚ by 9.30am‚ more than 300 people had voted.

Local elections 2016

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