All polling stations are operational in South Africa's fourth general election and everything is peaceful, tranquil and harmonious, the Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Wednesday.

"Almost all our 19 726 voting stations opened on time and are operating well. There were a few criminal challenges and shortage of ballot boxes, however the IEC is happy that most South Africans are exercising their right to choose people who must lead them during the next five years," said the IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Adv Pansy Tlakula.

Here are brief reports from each province:

KwaZulu-Natal

KZN experienced a few challenges. An area manager in Inkandla reported that she lost all of her voting material, including ballot papers, indelible ink, scanners and stamps. A presiding officer in the same area was found with 50 marked ballot papers. Police are investigating.

In Ulundi a presiding officer was allegedly found with a complete book of marked provincial and national ballot papers. Police were called and she allegedly admitted wrong doing. She was taken for questioning and arrested She will appear in court on Thursday on charges of fraud

In Pongola, a presiding officer was killed after he was knocked down by a car.

Gauteng

All stations are functioning properly. There are long queues in some polling stations. Logistical challenges include shortage of ballot boxes. These are being addressed.

North - West

Two IEC officials are critical in hospital after there were involved in a car accident.

A short supply of balloting material such as the indelible ink and ballot boxes were reported and resolved.

In Madibeng district outside Brits, a DA official claimed he was given provincial and national ballot papers already marked for ANC. After investigation, the presiding officer was dismissed.

Limpopo

A Phalaborwa presiding officer who was found to be acting in a partisan manner in violation of IEC code of conduct was dismissed. Challenges in the province included transporting voting material to the mountainous regions. Members of the South African National Defence Force helped to transport voting material to the regions which are difficult to reach.

Eastern Cape

Despite rainy conditions until early on Wednesday in most parts of the provinces, all voting stations opened on time and no incidents were reported and voting is proceeding smoothly.

Northern Cape

Gusty winds blew away tents used as temporary voting stations. Voting is continuing across the province without any problem.

Western Cape

All stations are buzzing with voters exercising their right to vote. Voting is proceeding smoothly.

Free State

A presiding officer was shot on the leg in QwaQwa in an attempted robbery at the voting station. He is recovering at the local hospital. All stations are open and working well.

Mpumalanga

Voting is proceeding smoothly.

Wednesday's election is being watched by 5 000 domestic observers and 352 international observers. About 358 diplomats from 61 embassies are also visiting polling stations.

The IEC has pulled off an administrative and logistical feat. The Commission has registered 23 181 997 registered voters; 86 578 special voters. It received 17 937 applications for special voting abroad in 106 countries.

The Commission printed about 55 million ballot papers; about 450 tons of paper was used to print ballot papers and materials to be used include 394 400 staff identification stickers.

Others include 97 002 ballot boxes; 92 700 voting compartments; 46 700 stationery packs (49 tons of stationery) 40 000 banners; 30 000 zip-zip scanners; 39 452 templates for Braille votes, 19 726 maps of voting districts; 2.25 million paper clips; 2.250 kms of packaging tape; 4.5 million ballpoint pens; 90 000 refuse bags, 45 000 calculators, 2.250kg of thin cotton twine; 1500 litres of ink to mark voters' hands; 11 warehouses to store voting material and lastly 215 000 officials recruited to work at the voting stations across the country.

In terms of the Electoral Act, final election results have to be released within seven days after the election. This is to cater for objections on results.