Elections: Fun facts about the candidates
Over 60 000 candidates are contesting the upcoming local government elections.
A week to go…
The local government elections are around the corner and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is hard at work preparing for the quinquennial event.
The IEC is also keeping voters up to date about some interesting election facts:
A record number of parties and candidates are contesting in these elections, which, some say, are the most contested since the 1994 general elections.
A record 200 parties & 61 014 candidates will contest 3 Aug #2016MunicipalElections following certification of parties & candidates.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 29, 2016
There has been a huge increase in the number of political parties, all vying for top spot.
Approximately 65% more parties & 12% more candidates contesting #2016MunicipalElections than in 2011 elections.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 29, 2016
Statistical data shows the diversity of each candidacy.
Of candidates contesting elections +-60% are male & 40% are female. Province with highest percentage of women candidates is Limpopo (43%).
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 29, 2016
Average age of #2016MunicipalElections candidates is 44 years. Youngest candidate is 18, oldest candidate is 90; both from E Cape.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 29, 2016
The IEC said of the candidates contesting the elections, approximately 60 percent are male and 40 percent are female. “However, gender parity is more closely achieved on party PR lists where the gender ratio is 52:48. When it comes to ward candidates, the picture is different with 66 percent male versus 34 percent female. Of the 831 independent candidates, 86 percent are male and only 14 percent are female,” IEC spokesperson, Kate Bapela, said.
Quick Question:
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