’The successful ward candidate will be announced as soon as counting and verification is completed. No hiccups were experienced at either of the two voting stations – Herlear Primary School and the Skilpadsaal show grounds – and everything is running smoothly.’
WARD 21 is expected to have a new ward councillor by midnight.
A by-election took place on Wednesday after the DA terminated the membership of ward councillor Morné McDillon in April when they discovered that he had been found guilty of a criminal offence.
Electoral Commission (IEC) provincial manager Elkin Topkin said the results of the by-election were expected to be finalised by around 11pm on Wednesday night.
“The successful ward candidate will be announced as soon as counting and verification is completed. No hiccups were experienced at either of the two voting stations – Herlear Primary School and the Skilpadsaal show grounds – and everything is running smoothly,” said Topkin.
He added that the voter turnout was at around 25 percent on Wednesday afternoon.
“This includes the special votes that were cast on Tuesday. Voting got off to a slow start on Wednesday. We are aiming for a 55 percent attendance when the polls close at 9pm. A voter turnout of over 51 percent means that it is a legitimate candidate that has the majority of support of the ward. We expect more voters to cast their ballots after they have finished work.”
Topkin said that the voter turnout during the 2021 municipal elections in the ward was 48 percent.
“By-elections are the perfect opportunity for disillusioned voters to make a change,” he pointed out.
He stated that there was not a big influx of voters from the Samaria informal settlement.
“There were a few new names on the voters roll but they appear to be locals. Voters are required to be in possession of a valid South African identity document in order to vote.”
