What you need to know about Wednesday's by-elections

By-elections in 95 wards across 55 municipalities in all nine provinces will take place on Wednesday, after being postponed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Here's what you need to know:

What is a by-election?

It is an election that takes place in a ward in a municipality between general municipal elections, which are held every five years.

A by-election is held if:

• a court sets aside the election of a council or a ward;
• the Electoral Commission does not declare the results of the election of a municipal council or ward within the specified period;
• the council is dissolved; or
• a ward vacancy occurs.

A vacancy occurs if:

• a ward councillor dies; or
• a ward councillor for a party or municipal council resigns or is expelled. 

Why are by-elections so important?

Municipalities are responsible for a wide range of immediate services to citizens - including electricity, water, health care, roads and refuse and waste removal.

This allows you to choose the ward councillor who will represent you and the interests of your community in the municipality.

The facts:

• When: November 11 - after they were postponed from March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• How many wards: 95 municipal wards.
• How many candidates: More than 440, including 19 independents. Of the candidates, 305 (69%) are male and 139 (31%) are female.
• How many parties: 40 parties to contest.

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