Pretoria - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has thanked South Africans who waited patiently in long queues to cast their votes on Wednesday.
"We thank voters for their enthusiasm and patience as they waited to exercise their democratic right to vote," IEC Chairperson, Dr Brigalia Bam.
All voting stations closed at 9pm. However, all voters who were still in the queue at the time were allowed to vote.
She said some stations reported shortages of ballot boxes and papers. "We received reports of the shortage of ballot boxes and papers in some parts of the country.
"The shortage of ballot papers was caused mainly by the provision in the Electoral Act that allows voters to vote at voting stations other than the ones where they are registered," said Dr Bam.
She however, said most of the problems were sorted out with the help of political parties and electoral officials.
"We are pleased to say that with the cooperation of political parties and electoral officials, most of these problems have been resolved by redistributing ballot papers where they are needed most," she said.
In terms of the Electoral Act, final election results have to be released within seven days after the election. This is to cater for objections on results.
