Pretoria – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has not ordered the closure of polling stations in Bekkersdal, the minister’s spokesperson Zweli Mnisi says.
Media reports on Saturday suggested that he had ordered the closure of two polling stations due to alleged intimidation of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) staff.
He said while the minister was visiting the area as part of monitoring the voter registration process from a safety perspective, he had not ordered any polling station to be closed.
“The law enforcements under the NATJOINTS command are on the ground in Bekkersdal, monitoring the process and have warned that any person who intimidates IEC staff or compromises the safety of any resident who goes to register, will face the full might of the law,” said Mnisi.
He said the report had the potential to cause unnecessary panic not only in Bekkersdal but across various adjacent areas where polling stations are operating.
The IEC has set aside 9 and 10 November as voter registration days for the 2014 national elections. Holders of both the current green-bar coded IDs and the Smart ID card over 18 years of age will be eligible to register.
The 22 263 registration points throughout the country will close at 5pm. – SAnews.gov.za
