Still too early to talk about voter turnout, say election experts

JOHANNESBURG - With six hours to go, some experts say it's still too early to speak of voter turnout, this is despite the IEC declaring that the country is well on its way to matching or beating its 2019 voter turnout.

Several political parties are still getting their members to the ballots or observing how polling is fairing. Later, most will make their way to the different results centers to see how they have performed.

ALSO READ:

• Minor glitches but no major incidents during voting, says WC IEC

• MK Party's Jacob Zuma casts vote in Nkandla

• EFF's Malema joins long queue at Seshego voting station as he waits to make his mark

• Pandor says the ANC has run a 'very good campaign, addressing all communities'

• WC Premier Winde believes this election will see greater youth turnout

• After long wait, CT Mayor Hill-Lewis casts vote, encourages residents to make their mark

The hotly-contested elections has seen several polling stations processing thousands of voters, with snaking queues also featuring prominently on social media platforms.

The massive screen at Gallagher Estate is the nerve centre of our democracy at this point in time and is where the idea of the will of the people will find expression.

Right now, officials from the IEC are here but soon anxious politicians will arrive and have their eyes firmly fixed on these screens.

When the numbers begin to trickle in, Robben Island will be the first to register its results because it serves such a small population.

Most numbers, however, will take shape in the early hours and well into Thursday evening.