LIVE: Hoërskool Pretoria-Wes voters frustrated after station ran out ballot papers

Voters at Hoërskool Pretoria-Wes were left frustrated on Wednesday after the voting station ran out ballot papers.

Several voters described their frustrations having to wait for over two hours to vote as both the national and provincial ballot papers ran out.

According to one voter, voting at the station was halted at 12:00 and only started again after 14:00.

Another voter who did not want to be named said that every 15 minutes, election officials promised that the ballot papers would be arriving in 15 minutes.

“The experience was not so good, we waited for two hours as the station ran out of ballot papers, one voter told News24.She added that they had to wait in line and that it was also getting cold which frustrated voters even more.

An IEC official at the voting confirmed that they ran out of ballot papers and that new stock was received at 14:00.

Government welcomes 'smooth start' to elections

Government has welcomed "the smooth start" to the national and provincial elections.

"Millions of South Africans have already cast their vote, affirming that our democracy remains strong and vibrant," Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) spokesperson Phumla Williams said in a statement on Wednesday. 

DA 'pleased' with voter turnout

The DA said on Wednesday that it was "very pleased with the high number of South Africans who have come out to vote"."We are closely monitoring the voting process, in an effort to protect the integrity of the election," DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi said in a statement.

'We have not yet filled the glass. The glass is half full' - Ramaphosa casts his vote

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC is ready to fix all its wrongs and that the elections on Wednesday are the beginning of that change.Ramaphosa was speaking at Hitekani Primary School in Chaiwelo, Soweto, where he cast his vote.

The street was packed with party agents and members of his party as he arrived to make his mark. The president said he was "excitingly confident" about the voter turnout.

Malema seeks decisive EFF majority, rules out coalitions as working with 'devils'

EFF leader Julius Malema has strongly ruled out forming a coalition with any political party after the announcement of the elections results.

Malema was speaking after he cast his vote in his hometown of Seshego in Polokwane, Limpopo on Wednesday.

He says his party will accept the results when the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) announces them.