Ballot papers that fell off truck won't be used

BALLOT papers that accidentally fell off a truck in Cape Town on Sunday have been quarantined and will not be used, the Electoral Commission said yesterday.

The commission's chairwoman, Pansy Tlakula, said the ballot papers were recovered, sealed and would not be used.

"Our ballot papers have serial numbers ... and we are able to track each ballot paper to its voting station.

"We instructed our staff to take special care when they deliver ballot papers," Tlakula said at the National Results Operation Centre in Pretoria. She said special votes cast yesterday went smoothly other than minor logistical issues.

There was a delay in the opening of isolated voting stations due to delays in the delivery of material, staff arrivals and difficulties in accessing premises. Tlakula said there were also isolated incidents of protests. – Sipho Masombuka