Electoral Commission postpones January 20 by-elections

Registered residents of Ward 43 will no longer make their mark in the municipal ward by-elections which was scheduled to take place today (January 20) to elect their new councillor. The elections have been postoponed indefinitley.

Ward 43 consists of areas such as Sunward Park, Freeway Park, Klipoortjie, Groeneweide, Windmill Park and Dawn Park.

The ward, which has 17 738 registered voters, became vacant as a result of councillor Bruce Reid’s death.

According to information received from the IEC, the Electoral Commission approached the Electoral Court to postpone by-elections following the implementation of Covid-19 level three lockdown restrictions which have re-introduced prohibitions on political activities.

The IEC sought the court’s approval to postpone by-elections scheduled for January 20, February 3 and February 17 on the basis that the latest regulations curtail political activities imperiling the freeness and fairness of the elections.

Kate Bapela, IEC spokesperson, said: “We noted that even though many of the preparations for the by-elections have been concluded and protocols are in place for the safe conducting of elections as piloted in November and December, the regulations prohibiting political activities will seriously hamper campaigning by candidates and political parties.”

Bapela said the approach to the Electoral Court followed consultations with political parties via the National Party Liaison Committee during which all parties expressed support for the postponement.

In Boksburg, the registration and voting were scheduled to take place at the following stations:
• Falcon Education School
• Sunward Park High School
• Freeway Park Primary School
• Recreation Centre Sunward Park
• God With Us Ministries Church
• Kingdom Wealth Properties
• Living Waters Multi-Purpose Church

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