The Electoral
Commission of South Africa is pleased to announce that the by-elections in the
Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo are proceeding peacefully, with all 57
voting stations opening as scheduled.
Election staff
have demonstrated thorough preparation and knowledge, ensuring a seamless
voting process across the municipality. We commend their dedication and the
cooperation of voters who have shown up in numbers despite the soaring
temperatures.
With over 51 000
registered voters eligible to participate in this important democratic
exercise, the Electoral Commission is encouraged by the steady turnout so far.
It urges all registered voters who have not yet cast their ballots to do so
before voting stations close at 21:00 tonight.
Registered voters
are reminded of the following key points for these by-elections:
- You can only vote at the voting
station where you are registered.
- Please bring your South African
identity document (green ID book, smart ID card, or a valid temporary ID
certificate) to be able to vote.
- You will receive two ballots: the
Ward ballot and the Local Council proportional representation (PR) ballot.
Remember, one ballot, one mark!
The Electoral
Commission assures voters that adequate supplies of all materials, including
about 108 200 ballot papers (Ward and PR) ballot papers, are available, and
that every voter will be assisted to vote. The Commission asks voters in queues
to be patient, as traditionally, voting queues peak early and late in the day,
as voters either vote first thing in the morning and later when working
citizens return home from work.
Special voting for
the Thabazimbi municipal by-elections was held yesterday, on 3 December 2024. A
total of 4 748 special vote applications were approved, including 4 083
special votes at voting stations and 665 through home visits. A total of
2 387 voters cast their ballots, recording an encouraging voter turnout of
50.2%.
Ensuring
electoral integrity and transparency
The Electoral
Commission reminds all voters and contestants that any attempt to undermine the
integrity of the election process, including attempting to remove the ink mark
on their left thumb, constitutes electoral fraud and is punishable by up to 10
years in jail. The indelible ink is but one of several security checks and
safeguards built into the election process.
The Electoral
Commission continues to meet with the key role players in this election,
political parties and independent candidates, through the Provincial and Local
Political Liaison Committees (PLCs). We continuously engage on the unfolding
election process, the issues arising from the operations in various sites of
the voting stations.
We further confirm
that most contestants have agents at each voting station watching the conduct
of the by-election process. The law allows these agents to lodge formal
objections on any aspect of the process if it is not according to prescripts.
They will also observe the counting and finalisation of results.
Counting of
votes
The Electoral
Commission’s Limpopo Provincial Electoral Officer, Ms Nkaro Mateta, explains
that the counting of all ballots, including special votes and those cast today,
on voting day, will take place after voting concludes at 21:00 tonight, 4
December 2024, with representatives from parties and contestants present.
“The result is
produced for each ballot at the voting station. This result is co-signed by
representatives of political parties and independents for correct recording of
the count at that voting station. This result document is relied on for the
processing of results to seats allocation,” she says.
After the counting
process, the Commission will allocate the seats. For the allocation of seats,
we will apply proportional representation for the local council, and
majoritarian “winner takes all” for the wards.
Results
process
To promote
transparency in the voting processes, the Electoral Commission established a
mini-Results Operations Centre (ROC) at the Thabazimbi Bioskop Hall, where the
management of these by-elections is taking place. The results centres are there
for political party representatives and independent candidates to monitor the
voting, counting and results process.
Parties and
independents can raise objections to any alleged irregularities, both during
voting and counting with Presiding Officers at affected voting stations, and
until 5pm on Friday, 6 December 2024, in terms of Section 65 of the Municipal
Electoral Act, once the election results are announced. Such objections must be
material to the election outcome and must be submitted in writing at [email protected].
Voter
participation is vital to shaping the future of the Thabazimbi Local
Municipality.
“The Electoral
Commission thanks all voters for their patience and commitment to South
Africa’s democratic process. Let us work together to ensure a free, fair, and
peaceful by-election,” concludes Limpopo PEO Mateta.
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible elections
For media interviews: Please email requests
to: [email protected]
Follow us on social media: