ActionSA demands rerun over 215 disputed Mpumalanga ballots
MBOMBELA — ActionSA has called for an election rerun at a Mpumalanga voting station after alleging that 1,315 votes were counted against a record of 1,100 ballots received. The party says the unexplained difference of 215 ballots raises concerns about the integrity of the count and requires an investigation by the Electoral Commission.
In a statement supplied to TownPress, ActionSA said it had lodged a complaint with the IEC and requested a comprehensive explanation. It also alleged that a sealed box of ballot papers arrived at the station without police officers or accredited observers present, and questioned whether established election procedures had been followed.
The party said other political organisations, including the DA, Mayibuye and the UDM, had disputed the validity of the ballots. That account has not been independently confirmed with those parties. ActionSA further alleged that officials proceeded with counting with support from ANC representatives.
The supplied statement does not include ballot reconciliation records, an IEC finding or a response from the ANC. Its figures and account therefore remain allegations, and do not establish that fraudulent votes were cast or that the discrepancy affected the result. No IEC response addressing this particular complaint was located during reporting.
Separately, the IEC confirmed that ballot boxes at Enzani and Matsulu primary schools, east of Mbombela, had been quarantined following allegations of tampering. Provincial spokesperson Thanduxolo Chembeni told SABC News that electoral officials and commissioners would determine whether those ballots should be counted. There is no established link between those incidents and ActionSA’s complaint.
ActionSA said it wanted the commission to investigate the circumstances, apply electoral rules consistently and take action where irregularities were established. Its demand for a rerun remains a request by a contesting party; the material available does not establish that the IEC has authorised another vote.
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