PHALABORWA - A suspect has been arrested at a voting station in Lulekani, Phalaborwa, for allegedly contravening the Electoral Act, while police are searching for a second suspect accused of the same offence.
The two men, who voted at Chuchekani Primary School voting station in the Humulani settlement in Lulekani on Monday, allegedly took photographs of their marked ballot papers using their cellphones.
The first suspect, a 32-year-old man who voted in the morning, was confronted by the presiding officer, who informed him that photographing a marked ballot paper was against electoral rules.
READ: IEC vows to take steps against individuals and parties inciting violence
The second suspect voted at the station later in the afternoon. After the presiding officer confronted him about taking a photograph of his ballot paper, he allegedly became aggressive, verbally insulted her and left the voting station.
Police spokesperson Hlulani Mabasa said that, about 10 minutes later, the second suspect allegedly posted an image of his marked ballot paper on social media.
The incidents were reported to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), and cases were opened with the police after both suspects had left the voting station.
The 32-year-old suspect was traced and arrested on Tuesday. He is expected to appear in the Lulekani Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for the second suspect.
READ: Two arrested in Eastern Cape for impersonating IEC official
In Mpumalanga, a candidate was arrested for allegedly storming a voting station and damaging electoral material.
In KwaZulu-Natal, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party supporters allegedly stormed a warehouse where election material was being stored and held election officials hostage.
Meanwhile, two people were arrested in the Eastern Cape for allegedly impersonating IEC officials after arriving at a police station to collect voting material. They claimed to have been sent by the presiding officer, who was already at the police station.