Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
GAUTENG GOVERNMENT Communications Directorate - Office of the Premier
Media Statement The finalisation of elections in specific Gauteng wards
In a small number of wards in Gauteng voting was disrupted on November 1 and the possibility existed that the election would be regarded as adjourned in these wards or that a by-election would be held. In a few more wards the accidental loss of a small number of ballot papers or the incompleteness of ballot papers posed additional problems to finalising results.
The situation is as follows in regard to the affected areas:
Soshanguve/AkasiaMetropolitan Substructure (Greater Pretoria)
Party representatives and electoral officials today agreed to count the votes for Ward 17 and 18 despite the fact that a small number of ballot papers was accidentally lost. The parties seem satisfied that the irregularity will not affect the outcome. The counting of these wards means that the final allocation of seats on a proportional basis will now be possible.
Benoni Wards 6 and 7, both within the Etwatwa area
The election in these wards has been declared adjourned and it will resume on a date to be announced this week after the approval of the Gauteng cabinet. In Ward 6 voting was disrupted by shooting inside and around the polling station. In Ward 7 the ballot paper was incorrect.
In contrast to a by-election, in an adjourned poll only those voters who did not have a chance to vote on the day of the original election may vote when polling for the ward resumes.
In two other Benoni wards, in the Daveyton area, candidates died before the election. By-elections will be held for these wards within three months of the original polling date, as prescribed by the regulations.
Thokoza
There was a three-hour closure of the polling station closest to the Thokoza hostel complex due to conflict in the area. The Returning Officer reopened the station until 22h00 in terms of the regulations. He proceeded to count the votes cast and has certified the result of the whole TLC. So far no party has objected to this course of action.
Greater Johannesburg, Southern Metropolitan Substructure
No final decision has been taken regarding Ward 18, where conflict caused the temporary closure of two voting stations. A report and declaration from the Returning Officer for this area are awaited.
And in the nine areas of the Eastern Services Council where the election of local area committees and transitional representative councils was postponed, as announced earlier, the election date is set for November 29 1995.
November 7 1995
Released by the Gauteng Communications Department on behalf of the Department of Locl Government and Housing
Inquiries: Jo-Anne Collinge - 240 1712