Camping chairs, long queues as Cape Town voters turn out in numbers

Cape Town residents flocked to polling stations en masse on Wednesday morning, with some arriving hours before voting began at 7am. The turnout marked a stark contrast to the troubled start of special voting two days prior, when 217 stations failed to open on time due to late arrival of ballot papers. Parklands witnessed a particularly long queue snaking from CBC St John's along Dorchester Drive and onto Parklands Main Road.

Voters braved the heat, some bringing their own camping chairs and snacks to pass the time. Those with disabilities and seniors received assistance voting downstairs from the stairs leading to the voting booths upstairs. In Kraaifontein, Cheslyn Ross from Scottsdene waited outside Bernadino Heights High School since 6:45am, emphasizing the significance of casting her vote.

Political leaders, including DA mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, encouraged residents to vote and maintain high standards. The DA, having governed Cape Town since 2006, aims to retain control, while the Patriotic Alliance could gain support from the city's colored population. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reported 148,493 special votes cast in the Western Cape on Monday and Tuesday, with voting stations closing at 9pm.