ANC leads in Potch despite list muddle
2011-05-19 19:38
Pretoria - The ANC was leading in the Potchefstroom municipality on Thursday, despite failing to register candidates in seven wards.
According to the latest election results, the ANC had garnered 58.57% of the vote (93 511 votes) and the DA 36.58% (58 405).
The Freedom Front Plus had 2.66% (4 244) and the Congress of the People 1.58% (2 515).
A total voter turnout of 55 058 was recorded by 17:00 with each person generally casting two ballots - one for ward councillor and the other for proportional representation.
A total of 88 942 people registered to vote in the municipality.
Opposition parties were bolstered by the ANC's reported failure to submit lists in seven wards ahead of the poll, believing that this would cost the party the municipality.
There are 26 wards in the municipality.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said five of the seven wards were opposition wards anyway, but that the ANC would be represented "from the proportional representation side".
"From the proportional representation side, we will have councillors in all those wards anyway."
The ANC said it would probe the oversight and that action would be taken if any wrongdoing was found.
The matter would be 'pursued" after the election, Mthembu said.
- SAPA
