Candidate list finalised - IEC
2011-04-12 13:48
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Pretoria - The candidate list for the upcoming local government elections
has been finalised after a nomination process marred by intra-party disputes
and a number of last minute court applications.
Briefing the media in Centurion, the Chief Electoral Officer of the
Electoral Commission Pansy Tlakula said 121 parties would contest the elections
on May 18.
This was an increase on the 97 parties that contested elections in 2006 and
the 79 in 2001, she said.
The number of candidates had also increased, compared with previous
elections, to 51 163.
Electoral participation
Tlakula said this showed a maturity of democracy.
Of the 51 163 candidates, 28 190 were party ward candidates and 22 251 were
party proportional list candidates.
"The number of independent ward candidates stands at 722, also an
increase from the 667 in 2006.
"The increases in nominations are an indication of a broadening in
electoral participation at local level and very encouraging as far as the
entrenchment of democratic processes is concerned," said Tlakula.
Only seven wards remain uncontested countrywide, meaning one party could
start celebrating even before the announcement of the results.
An important date in the IEC calendar was now 15 April, when people would be
given a chance to apply for special votes. This would take place until May 3.
- SAPA
