Ask your questions

The July 26 #BENewsQ&A  is to provide residents an opportunity to take part in a question-and-answer evening with ward councillor candidates to obtain the relevant information on the various candidates hoping to represent them, the residents, after the August 3 elections.

Rules of engagement for candidates

• Each candidate will have 2 minutes at the start of proceedings to introduce themselves to the residents by stating their name, which ward/s they are standing in, the political party they represent and a brief motivation for contesting the 2016 local government elections.
• Residents will address questions to a specific candidate who will answer. Other candidates who wish to offer a response to the same question will have the opportunity to do so after the candidate to whom the question was posed, has answered. Candidates will have, no more than, five minutes to respond to each question.
• If requested, the first candidate who initially answered will have a chance to give an additional response. This additional response will be limited to 2 minutes.
• Candidates to offer constructive and relevant responses to residents’ questions and to refrain from attacks on other candidates, political parties and participants.
• Candidates to maintain a high level of professionalism towards each other and residents.
• Candidates must refrain from intervening or interrupting another candidate in the process of answering a question.
• Residents and candidates to refrain from personal attacks
• Please keep your responses relevant to the questions posed by residents.
• As this is an event in preparation of local government elections, the purpose is for residents to ask questions pertaining to issues, including service delivery issues, in the wards where they reside.
• The event is not aimed at a back-and-forth debate covering only one subject and we request all candidates to ensure their participation is conducted in a professional manner and remains relevant to ensure we cover as many questions as possible.
• Please note the invitation extended to the public included the communities of the Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS distribution areas. Responses must thus be relevant to the communities of these areas.

TO NOTE: Realising that all candidates will actively take part in the event, please realise the aim is for residents to benefit by asking questions to which they desire answers. The evening is aimed at, for example, giving Mr X from First Avenue in Edenvale the chance to ask his question about potholes. Also keep in mind, questions will be based on residents’ experiences – for example Mr X who has reported the pothole for six months without any results, can ask candidate A what will be done to get it repaired. Please keep in mind, these are not personal attacks. The discussions should allow residents to express their frustrations and explain their experiences which led to their questions.

Rules of engagement for residents

• Please refrain from personal attacks on candidates or any other participant.
• When asking a question, identify which candidate the question is addressed to.
• Stipulate the suburb/ward in relation to your question to ensure relevant answers.
• Questions posed by residents will be repeated by the host, if needed.
• Please keep your questions relevant to the wards covered by tonight’s proceedings being wards 18, 19, 20, 36 (Meadowbrook), 92 (Sunnyrock, Meadowdale, Harmelia, Buurendal, Highway Gardens) and 32 (Modderfontein)
• Residents will pose a question to a specific candidate who will respond. The floor will then open to other candidates who wish to respond to the same questions. Candidates will have five minutes to respond to each question.
• If requested, the first candidate who initially answered will have a chance to give an additional response. This additional response will be limited to 2 minutes.

The July 26 event is aimed at providing you, the resident an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the candidates and pose questions pertaining to the ward relevant to you before casting your vote on August 3.

• Questions submitted to the newsroom via social media or email, will be brought to the floor by team members of the Bedfordview and Edenvale News.

Also read:

Elections – who is standing. News gives voters opportunity to meet with candidates