Gauteng 'ready for election day'
Nthambeleni Gabara and Neo Semono
21 April 2009
It's all systems go for election day in Gauteng, with electoral material for South Africa's fourth democratic elections already dispatched to over 2 000 voting stations across the country's smallest but most populated province.
Briefing reporters in Johannesburg on Monday, provincial electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said 2 295 voting stations were ready for the casting of special votes on Monday and Tuesday and the general elections on Wednesday.
"All materials have been delivered to all permanent voting stations," Mamabolo said. "This material includes voting compartments, ballot boxes, administrative forms, stationary packs and the voter's roll."
The province has also erected 370 temporary voting stations in areas where permanent infrastructure such as schools, community halls or churches cannot be found.
"All the marquees were erected [on Sunday] and are now operational as part of the service to voters with special circumstances. These temporary voting stations are also provided with tables and chairs, portable toilets and water," Mamabolo said.
Gauteng has the largest voting population in the country, standing at 5.5-million registered voters, or nearly a quarter of the country's 23.1-million registered voters.
Mamabolo said security plans were in place for Wednesday, with just over 1 400 police officers to be deployed at voting stations across the province.
Source: BuaNews
