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Biggest by-elections to take place on Wednesday

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Over 200 000 registered voters in 25 wards across the country’s nine provinces are expected go to the polls on Wednesday to elect municipal councillors.

Two wards in Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) will be contested:

  • Ward 10 – will be contested by William Peter Bense of the African National Congress; Anita Jeanette Smith of the Congress of the People; and Andy George Jordan of the Democratic Alliance. The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant as a result of the councillor being elected to represent the party in the Provincial Legislature
  • Ward 40 – will be contested by Thozamile Qushani of the African National Congress; Margaret Hombakazi Befile of the Congress of the People; and Dacre Berrangé Haddon of the Democratic Alliance. The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant as a result of the councillor being elected to represent the party in the Provincial Legislature.

Today, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said that tomorrow’s by-elections will be one of the largest mobilisations of voters outside of general elections.

The by-elections include a number of wards in metro councils in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, Nelson Mandela Bay and Mangaung.

The Electoral Commission manages an average of approximately 130 by-elections a year. By-elections are held when ward councillors vacate their seats for a variety of reasons including death, resignation or expulsion from the party or the council.

Contributing to the recent increase in by-elections has been the election of municipal councillors to provincial and national legislatures after the 7 May elections.

Of the 25 vacancies being contested tomorrow, 12 are as a result of candidates being elected to the national and provincial legislatures in May.

In the previous by-elections of 2 July, six of the 20 vacancies were also as a result of councillors being elected to the national and provincial legislatures.

Voting stations will be open from 7am to 9pm except in ward 11 in Port St Johns [Port St Johns] – EC154 where the voting hours are from 7am to 7pm.

A total of 214 861 voters are registered in the 124 voting districts where by-elections will be taking place.

Wednesday’s by-elections will be contested by 62 candidates, representing 12 political parties and four independent candidates. Three by-elections are uncontested. – SAnews.gov.za

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.