IEC: Some 3.5 million South Africans have cast their ballot
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says more than 3.5 million South Africans have already cast their vote.
The commission gave an update on the election progress at around lunchtime on Monday.
Chairperson Glen Mashinini said over 99% of the 23 148 voting stations opened on time.
He said while many voting stations reported strong turnout, there were some challenges in some provinces.
"In KwaZulu-Natal, 20 voting stations did not open on time because of community protests. In Camperdown and Mdlothi. The stations have now opened in co-operation with the security service.
"In the Eastern Cape, 19 voting stations did not open because of community protests. In all incidents, communities dug trenches to deny commission staff and voters access to the voting stations.
"The commission, with the assistance of municipalities, was able fill the trenches and anticipates that the voting stations will be open later today."
Mashinini a hailstorm delayed the opening of voting stations in Giyani.
"While there was no load shedding, disruptions in power supply disrupted voting in some parts of Limpopo and the Northern Cape. In Modimolle, also in Limpopo, an accredited observer was asked to leave a voting station for wearing a political party t-shirt.
"A process to withdraw the observer's accreditation has started. In Moretele in the North West, a member of a political party was arrested after he interrupted the voting process.
"In Taung, also in the North West, the commission has laid charges against a presiding officer after he opened a ballot box that had been sealed."
Mashinini also vowed to attend to the shortage of ballot papers at some stations.
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