A lot of people are not aware of the Municipal by-elections taking place today around much of the country. I know in our area there have been posters pinned up along the main roads for the last 3 weeks but that’s it – I haven’t seen much in the news at all. Why should you vote? Well, the municipal by-elections will decide which political party runs your ward or area. So unless you want your road to be called Julius Malema Avenue, then go and vote for a party other than the you know what!

All you need is your bar-coded ID and a spring in your step. If you’re not sure where to vote, the best bet is to phone your political party’s head office and ask about voting stations in your area.

This is the full press release from the Independednt Electoral Committee (IEC). You can see the wards being contested as well as the candidates for each ward:

Municipal ward by-elections will take place on Wednesday, 5 May 2010 in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed that 13 vacant wards will be contested by 39 candidates of whom three (3) are independent candidates and the rest represents 12 political parties. One ward is uncontested.

One by-election will take place in the Eastern Cape:

• Ward 7 in Inxuba Yethemba [Cradock] – EC131 will be contested by an independent candidate, Thobile Amos Jack; and Nombuzo Eunice Ngcingolo of the African National Congress.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

Two by-elections were called in the Free State of which one is uncontested:

• Ward 5 in Phumelela [Vrede] – FS195 is uncontested. Ouma Annah Mokoena of the African National Congress is the only candidate; while

• Ward 16 in Metsimaholo [Sasolburg] – FS204 will be contested by David Johannes Keyser of the African National Congress; Hans Jurie Moolman of the Democratic Alliance; and Theo du Toit of the Vryheidsfront Plus.

Both wards were previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillors.

Three by-elections will take place in Gauteng:

• Ward 78 in Ekurhuleni [East Rand] – EKU will be contested by Thoko Gladys Radebe of the African National Congress; and Sibusiso Shadrack Dhlamini of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

• Ward 15 in Randfontein [Randfontein] – GT482 will be contested by Serame William Nawa of the African National Congress; and Duduzile Maria Xenxe of the Congress of the People.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the expulsion of the councillor by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC).

• Ward 74 in Tshwane Metro [Pretoria] – TSH will be contested by Amos Menzelwa Mahlangu of the African Christian Alliance; Mfana Abram Marobane of the African National Congress; Louise Olwagen of the Christian Democratic Party; Nomvuyo Agnes Rapoo of the Democratic Alliance; and Lelu Annia Sekwele of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

Three by-elections will take place in the KwaZulu-Natal:

• Ward 10 in eThekwini [Durban Metro] – ETH will be contested by Innocent Dumezweni Ndlovu of the African National Congress; Gillian Margaret Noyce of the Democratic Alliance; and Coenraad Hendrik Selzer of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

• Ward 4 in Nqutu [Nqutu] – KZN242 will be contested by Siphenisonke Patrick Mazibuko of the African National Congress; and Sipho Albert Ngobese of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

• Ward 2 in Newcastle [Newcastle] – KZN252 will be contested by two independent candidates – Adriaan Blaas and Jomary Adel Batista; Francois Jacobus van Rensburg of the African Christian Democratic Party; Bhekinkosi Leonard Zikalala of the African National Congress; Elizabeth Johanna Cecelia Cronje of the Democratic Alliance; Ray Wessel Delport of the Inkatha Freedom Party; Percy Sibusiso Sithebe of the South African Determined Volunteers; and Hendrik Johannes Jacob Coetzee of the Vryheidsfront Plus.

The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

Two by-elections will take place in Limpopo:

• Ward 7 in Greater Letaba [Duiwelskloof] – LIM332 will be contested by Matome Lawrence Maake of the African Christian Democratic Party; Matome Simon Machethe of the African National Congress; Edward Nkotolane Sefotlo of the Congress of the People; and Mankoana Constance Sedutla of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

• Ward 11 in Molemole [Dendron/Dikgale] – LIM353 will be contested by Moloko Paul Mehala of the African National Congress; and Tidimatso Josiah Mokabane of the Congress of the People.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

One by-election will take place in Mpumalanga:

• Ward 1 in Dipaleseng [Balfour] – MP306 will be contested by Didile Sofia Sitole of the African National Congress; and Velile Willem Mvundla of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

One by-election will take place in North West:

• Ward 12 in Greater Taung [Reivilo] – NW394 will be contested by Georginah Nontetho Tafane of the African National Congress; Pricilla Ontlametse Medichane fo the South African Political Party; and Keaoleboga Sylvia Mohitlheng of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by an independent councillor and became vacant due to his resignation.

Voting stations will be open from 07h00 to 21h00. A total of 80 300 voters are registered in the 13 wards and 66 voting districts where by-elections will be taking place.

Voters who need more information on the by-elections should contact their local Municipal Electoral Officer during office hours or visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za. Contact details for Municipal Electoral Officers are available on the website (contact us).

ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION