IEC prepares for Western Cape by-elections
There are at least three vacancies that have to be filled in the towns of Oudtshoorn, Malmesbury and Clanwilliam.
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CAPE TOWN - While the focus is on next month’s polls the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa in the Western Cape says it’s also still preparing for by-elections later this month.
There are at least three vacancies that have to be filled in the towns of Oudtshoorn, Malmesbury and Clanwilliam.
It will also allow political parties to gauge their support ahead of the provincial vote.
In the Cederberg Municipality the African National Congress (ANC), Cederberg First Residents’ Association, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) will contest ward 3 - where there are currently over 5,800 registered voters.
It follows the resignation of the ward councillor representing the ANC.
The council is again under the administration of a Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus and Cederberg First Residents’ Association coalition after a partnership between the ANC and PA fell apart.
In Oudtshoorn the ANC, EFF, PA and an independent candidate will challenge ward 9 - after the town’s former mayor and youngest councillor Chad Louw defected from the ANC to the PA in February.
Over 4,000 voters are registered in this ward.
In the Swartland Municipality, the vacancy in ward 11 in Malmesbury has been caused by the death of the ward councillor who represented the DA.
The ward of just over 4M400 voters will be contested by the ANC, DA, EFF,PA and two independent candidates.
The DA has the overwhelming majority in this council.
These by-elections will all be held on 24 April.