GEORGE NEWS - The DA won two wards and the PA one during the by-election that was held yesterday, Wednesday 19 July, in wards 16, 20 and 27 in George.
According to a statement by the IEC, the vacancies were created by the resignation of the previous ward councillors.
Wards 16 and 20 were contested by seven political parties, namely African Restoration Alliance (ARA), African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Good, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI).
Ward 27 was contested by six political parties, namely African Restoration Alliance (ARA), Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Good, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI).
On Tuesday 18 July, those voters who had applied and been approved for special votes, drew their crosses between 08:00 and 17:00.
On election day, Wednesday 19 July, all voting stations were open between 07:00 and 21:00.
In Ward 16, Theresa Jeyi of the Democratic Alliance (DA) won with 996 votes (46,05 % of the total votes cast). The total number of registered voters in Ward 16 is 4 890, and the overall voter turnout was 44,06%, reflecting the 2 194 votes cast. This is a lower turnout than the 48,05% in local government elections in 2021.
Theresa Jeyi of the DA won in Ward 16.
In Ward 20, Christo Alexander of the PA won with 611 votes (25,82% of the total votes cast). The total number of registered voters in Ward 20 is 4 129, and the overall voter turnout was 57,98 % (2 394 votes cast). This is higher than the voter turnout of 47,25% in local government elections in 2021.
Christo Alexander of the PA took Ward 20.
Marchell Kleynhans of the DA won Ward 27 with 594 votes (35,85 % of the total votes cast). The total number of registered voters in Ward 27 is 3 523 and the overall voter turnout was 47,60% (1 677 votes cast). This is lower than the voter turnout of 58,17% in 2021’s local government elections.
Marchell Kleynhans of the DA took Ward 27.
The result means that DA now has an outright (volstrekte) majority in the city council and can govern on its own.
Provincial electoral officer Michael Hendrickse thanked voters from the three wards who came out despite the inclement weather to vote and participate in choosing their representative. He said despite the high level of contest, the parties generally adhered to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
He also expressed a special thanks to electoral staff for their commitment and willingness to assist.
*Both Jeyi and Kleynhans have been members of the George City council in the past.
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