Julius Malema declares SA election free and fair, despite glitches in IEC voters’ roll

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

South African opposition leader Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters party has labelled Wednesday’s election process as free and free.

Despite the failure of the Independent Election Commission’s digital voters’ roll system, Malema argued that there is never 100% assurance of smooth flowing processes with problems bound to happen.

Malema was speaking to the media while awaiting to vote in Seshengo, Limpopo Province.

The EFF leader drew similarities between election processes and DNA results, noting that even scientists cannot produce 100% results. He also added that as a result of this transparency from the election body, his party would accept the result that come thereof from the election.

“There have been some problems but the election will be free and fair. There is nothing 100%. Even DNA results say 99.9%, it Is never a 100. We must not act out of fear of elections to cast aspersions on the IEC.

“We will accept the willingness of the voice of the people of South Africa, whatever the outcome, we will not have any query because we campaigned and no one stopped us, we spoke to our people, no one stopped us,” said Malema.

However, in some parts of the country, such as the Eastern Cape, community members staged protests over land issues and abstained from voting, with IEC Eastern Cape manager Khayakazi Magudumana noting that nine of the province’s voting stations were affected, adding that community members wanted nothing to do with voting.

“Nine voting stations were affected in the morning due to protests. Community members have urged us to come back tomorrow because they don’t want anything to do with voting,” Magudumana said.

Voting processes in the southern African nation ended yesterday around 0200hours after the turnout increased significantly compared to 2019, as long queues formed at polling stations.

Vote counting has however, commenced with the results showing the governing ANC party winning by a small margin.