Despite the looming deadline of 31 July 2020, for the submission of written proposals on how wards should be configured, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) is optimistic that plans for the 2021 local government elections are well underway.
“Plans are still on track to hand-over final wards to the IEC in November 2020 and communities are urged to utilise available platforms to submit their proposals. We don’t want anyone in Batch 2 municipalities to be left behind and in this regard we are working closely with Municipalities to assist and to encourage communities to have their say in the ward delimitation process,” says Thabo Manyoni, Chairperson of the Board.
He said following lengthy discussions with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the MDB has vowed to hand-over the second batch of wards by November 2020, to enable the IEC to prepare for the 2021 local government elections (LGE) within the current constitutional framework. Both parties have agreed that the final wards will be handed over by November 2020.
The wards are configured every five years in metropolitan and local municipalities for electoral purposes, this is due to changes in the number of registered voters within a municipality and changes in the number of councillors’ for a particular municipality.
The second batch (Batch2) of municipalities consists of all municipalities in Limpopo, North West, Free State and North Cape, eight in Gauteng, three in the Eastern Cape, seven in KwaZulu Natal and one in the Western Cape, (See attached list).
Ward delimitation and public consultation information such as draft ward maps and submission forms have been distributed to all municipalities and are also available on the MDB website www.demarcation.org.za or on request by calling the MDB at 012 342 2481 and for assistance on any related enquiries.
Written proposals can be sent through the following platforms: registry@demarcation.org.za, WhatsApp: 072 819 8220,
Online submission can be done through this link: https://arcg.is/TfinO and fax: 012 342 2480
