[ad_1]
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has published the results of the by-elections, which were held on Wednesday in 95 districts in 55 municipalities in the nine provinces.
In a briefing on Thursday, the commission said the elections went smoothly and peacefully.
The by-elections were contested by 40 political parties, with a total of 444 candidates certified as contenders. This included 19 independent candidates.
Of the candidates, 305 (69%) were men and 139 (31%) were women.
In announcing the results in Tshwane, IEC Vice President Janet Love said the Election Commission is pleased with the successful holding of the by-elections, which were “overwhelmingly quiet, peaceful and fluid.”
“These elections were extraordinary in the sense that they were the first to be held in South Africa under Covid-19 conditions and they were the largest number of by-elections held in a single day in our history,” he said.
Love said the commission is encouraged by voter turnout, which was within the range of by-elections held since the 2016 Municipal Elections.
According to Love, the average turnout was 37.83%, compared to an average of 38.73% for by-elections in the past four years.
“The highest participation recorded yesterday was 75.29%, which was recorded in district 4 of the municipality of Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.
“Given that these were the first elections held during Covid-19, and that Election Day was a normal business day, inclement weather in many parts of the country, especially in KwaZulu-Natal, the success of the elections is bodes well for the next municipal elections, scheduled for 2021, ”said Love.
The Electoral Commission expressed its gratitude to all the voters who came to vote, and for strictly following the Covid-19 protocols without complaints.
“We also express our gratitude to the political parties, their candidates and agents for their support, cooperation and contribution to the success of these by-elections.
“We must also thank the South African Police Service (SAPS) for being a constant trusted partner in conducting safe and peaceful elections.
“The commission wishes to express its gratitude to the Electoral Tribunal for providing judicial clarity and remission for holding these elections outside of the 90-day period,” Love said.
According to the commission, a total of 23,008 people (3.7%) applied and were approved to cast special votes. Of these, 12,218 were through home visits and 10,790 were sent to the voting tables.
Protests
The commission expressed concern about disruptions to voting procedures early Wednesday in two districts.
The opening of polling stations was significantly delayed in district 130 (Naledi, Soweto) in the city of Johannesburg, and at a voting station in district 13 in the municipality of Amahlathi in the Eastern Cape.
Love said the service provision protests were targeting these polling stations, where protesters blocked access to the polling stations for both election officials and voters.
“Thanks to the intervention of the SAPS, together with the provincial and municipal leaders, the voting could finally begin around noon.”
Love said the commission supports the right of communities to protest peacefully in a way that does not infringe on the rights of citizens to vote and express their opinions through democratic processes.
“The commission calls on the leaders of political parties, community structures, religious and civic organizations, together with traditional authorities, to work with the Electoral Commission to ensure that future by-elections and municipal elections in 2021 are not interrupted or affected by protest actions. “
Summary of national results
The results by party of the 95 contested districts are as follows:
- African National Congress: it conserved 64 rooms; it lost two rooms and gained six new ones.
- Democratic alliance: preserved 14 rooms; it lost nine rooms and gained two new ones.
- Inkatha Freedom Party: he kept four rooms and won a new one.
- Patriotic Alliance: won a new neighborhood.
- Great party: won a new neighborhood.
- Al Jama-Ah: won a new neighborhood.
- Freedom Front Plus: won a new room.
- National Freedom Party: lost a room.
- Cívica United Front Party: lost a room.
Summary of provincial results
Eastern Cape
Of the 19 districts that were contested, the ANC retained 18 seats and the Democratic Alliance (DA) won one ANC seat in the province. The electoral participation in the province on average was 36.85%
Free State
Of the four districts that were contested, the ANC retained three seats and the DA won a seat from the Partido Frente Unido de Cívica, which won that seat in the by-elections held on August 23, 2017. Voter turnout in the province was on average 40.23%.
Gauteng
Of the 14 districts that were contested, the ANC retained 10 seats and won two DA seats. Al Jama-Ah won a DA seat, as did the Patriotic Alliance. Voter turnout in the province averaged 24.49%.
KwaZulu-Natal
Of the 12 districts that were challenged, the ANC retained three seats and won one seat from the National Freedom Party, which won the seat in the by-elections held on August 21, 2019. The DA retained three seats. The IFP retained four and won one ANC seat. The electoral participation in the province on average was 38.87%.
Limpopo
Of the four districts that were contested, the ANC retained all four seats. The electoral participation in the province was on average 41.24%.
Mpumalanga
Of the five wards that were challenged, the ANC retained three seats and the DA retained two seats. The electoral participation in the province on average was 29.94%.
northwest
Of the six contested districts, the ANC retained four seats and won a DA seat, and the Vryheidsfront Plus (FF +) won a DA seat. Voter turnout in the province averaged 34.99%.
North Cape
Of the 20 chambers that were challenged, the ANC retained 17 seats and won two DA seats. The prosecutor retained a seat. Voter participation in the province averaged 49.31%.
west cape
Of the 11 wards that were challenged, the ANC retained two seats and the DA retained eight seats. The Good Party won a DA seat. Voter participation in the province averaged 37.60%.
Results of dissolved councils
The results of the by-elections in the two councils dissolved in the North Cape are as follows:
NC075 – Renosterberg
- African National Congress – Won four seats (compared to four seats it won in 2016).
- Democratic Alliance: won two seats (compared to three seats in 2016).
- Economic Freedom Fighters – Won one seat (compared to 0 seats in 2016).
North Carolina – Phokwane
- African National Congress – won 10 seats (compared to 12 seats it won in 2016).
- Economic Freedom Fighters – Won five seats (compared to 3 seats in 2016).
- Democratic Alliance: won two seats (compared to three seats in 2016).
- Independent African Congress: one seat (compared to one seat in 2016)
- Vryheidsfront Plus – Won a seat (compared to 0 seats in 2016).
Read: South Africa seeks to introduce e-voting, but faces fraud fears
[ad_2]
