afrol News, 22 April - South African electoral officials have dismissed reports of widespread irregularities during today's national poll, as isolated incidences that were already being addressed at different relevant levels.

The chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission Brigalia Bam, told the media in Pretoria today that elections in South Africa had for the first time been tainted by crime, saying this was a new challenge in the polling situation in South Africa.

Criminal incidences and acts related to attempts to vote rigging were reported mainly in KwaZulu-Natal province, where at least one IEC official was sacked and handed over to police, having been found with marked ballot papers.

Another shooting incidence in the Eastern Free State was said to be politically unrelated with the perpertrators' motives said to have been pure robbery.

The electoral authorities appealed for the incidents not to be blown out of proportion, saying while there were those isolated criminals cases, voting around the country went smooth.

Polling stations are to be closed by nine in the evening with the first results expected by early tomorrow.

The ruling African National Congress is expected to win even though with smaller chances of reaching a two thirds majority as in the previous polls.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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