Elections confirm that the ANC is still Nkomazi’s top party
More than 117 000 residents of Nkomazi made their mark at voting stations last Wednesday and the ANC received nearly 83 per cent of the votes.
MALALANE – Of the 117 036 valid votes cast in Nkomazi during last Wednesday’s national and general elections, the ANC received the majority at 82,96 per cent, the EFF at 8,83 and the DA at 4,94. The VF+ rounded off the top four parties with 857 votes (0,73 per cent).
These votes contributed to the ANC’s victory in Mpumalanga with 70,58 per cent of the vote. They have the majority of seats in the Provincial Legislature; 22. The EFF received 12,79 per cent of the votes and will have four seats. The DA has three seats due to receiving 9,77 per cent of the votes. The VF+ received 2,43 per cent of the votes and will have one seat.
A total of 118 613 voters turned up at voting stations across Nkomazi last Wednesday, only 68,07 per cent of those registered.
Interestingly, party agents noted that many people could only vote nationally, as they were outside their registered voting districts. This could be attributed to the number of domestic tourists in the area or the fact that many people did not check or change their registration details beforehand.
The day proceeded mostly peacefully, with police stationed outside voting stations until the last vote had been counted.
Representatives of political parties were stationed at various voting stations, including a few in Malalane:
While some people arrived early and there were queues at several voting stations, others were very quiet and the majority of people trickled in throughout the day.
Readers mentioned to Corridor Gazette that they had reported disturbances and perceived irregularities at a small voting station on a farm near Malalane. They questioned why smaller voting stations were not incorporated with the bigger areas, to save money and relocate manpower to where it was needed more.
Despite worries about double voting and other voting irregularities, no arrests were made in Nkomazi. By deadline, a total of 24 people across South Africa had been arrested on charges relating to fraud and contravening the Electoral Act.
READ: Elections 2019: What does the IEC do?
The IEC said in a press release on Saturday that it had received 47 objections. Five were upheld and five withdrawn. It stated, “Most of the objections did not meet the requirements of section 55 and lacked any evidence of irregularity”. However, the IEC was satisfied with the integrity of its systems and indicated that the Statistician-General would conduct an independent technical assurance process involving a random sample of 1 020 voting districts. At the time of going to press, the results had not yet been announced.
Residents of Nkomazi should take note that although the provincial legislature will change according to the number of seats political parties won, the Nkomazi Local Municipality will not be directly impacted.
Seats on the council are allocated and a new mayor appointed after the municipal elections, held every five years. They were last held in August 2016 and the ANC has a total of 54 seats in the council, the EFF, seven and DA, four.
However, there was a shuffle in the council in March last year, when the former mayor was moved to the provincial legislature and the current mayor, Johan Mkhatshwa, appointed.
READ: New Nkomazi mayor committed to good governance
Most political parties will now review their performance during last week’s elections and adjust their strategy to gain more support for the 2021 municipal elections.
