The voting station in Marikana has not opened and voters are getting frustrated. Voting stations across the country are meant to open by 07:00 on Election Day on Wednesday, the station in Marikana had not opened by 07:45.
“What the hell is opening there at Marikana? Open that station! #GetInked2014,” tweeted a user called Gerald Mashego (@RoQueTheNation).
A number of voting stations have not opened at the scheduled time due to a variety of reasons and several police vehicles were racing through Cape Town on Wednesday morning as officials raced to ensure that voting could proceed.
However, the closure of voting stations in flashpoint areas has some concerned that it is a deliberate campaign to limit those opposing the ruling party from expressing their democratic right.
“Marikana voting station still closed, Bekkersdal voting station still closed #Elections2014 …is it maybe cause these are EFF hotspots?” tweeted a user called Alice (@alice_oliphant).
IEC officials at the voting station told voters that the delay at Marikana was caused by a non-functional scanner.
Marikana, west of Pretoria, was the scene of a killing of 34 Lonmin miners who were on strike over wages in 2012.
News24 has just learnt that voting has opened at the Rakgatla High School in Marikana.
All voting stations should be open from 07:00 and close at 21:00…
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