Looking back on an exciting Election 2016

SUZANNE BELLING

In Gauteng’s northern suburbs Jewish voters were upbeat about the process and generally felt the elections were well run and that the Independent Electoral Commission had done a good job.

The Jewish Report spoke to some of the Jewish voters to get their feedback.

Raymond Levy, of Glensan, said the IEC was “very efficient” and the officials were helpful.

“It is one of the best-run elections in which I have participated. The queues moved quickly and everybody was polite and well-spoken.” The voting process ran smoothly, he said.

Wendy Hendler, of Glenhazel, said: “My experience was that it was very well handled.

“I voted at Linksfield – and when I went to cast my vote, the place was empty. I was in and out. I am very happy with the process.”

She said she did not even mind the numerous canvassing calls from the parties touting for votes. “They were all doing their jobs.”

“Very well organised,” is how Sue Jacobson, of Linksfield, described the voting.

“Our assistant rabbi at Linksfield Shul, Rabbi Levi Avtzon, had sent out an amazing message to congregants, telling them to go out and vote. Virtually the whole congregation turned up at the polls. It was very good to see this.”

Danielle Brook, of Rouxville, who voted in Orange Grove, commented on the efficiency of the officials at her voting station.

“The queues moved quickly, people were very helpful and, in a sense, it was even better than the first democratic election.

“Spirits were high, people were eager to vote and felt they could really make a difference.”

Jenny Correia, of Gallo Manor, voted at the shul in South Road, Morningside.

“People were so helpful – and we voted and walked out. There were a lot of issues and this showed they will now be acknowledged and the country will be prepared.”

High School teacher David Abelson, who lives in Ward 66, said he went to two polling stations in De Wetshof and Observatory, as there had been some confusion.

“Try down the road,” the officials told him very politely.

“It was an easy experience. Despite being at two polling stations, the queues moved quickly. Even taking into account the hitch, I went to and from two polling stations and was back at my home after 40 minutes. It was an easy experience.”

Gideon Mannie, a matric pupil voted for the first time in what he described as “a new experience for me”.

He voted at Orange Grove Primary School, arriving 10 minutes before the doors to the polling station had opened.

“There was a mix up with the queues which were split into two lines and they were not initially organised with the voting registration.”

Gideon, who was accompanied by his parents, said the polling station eventually got things right.

“It kind of felt empowering for me and I hope these elections bring about change.”

Gideon was monitoring the results on the IEC website the night and day after the elections. “So far the results have been impressive.”