Ward 104 residents urged to understand 2026 ballots
Councillor Emi Koekemoer explains why every local government vote matters, warning residents against splitting ballots and stressing that proportional representation determines council power and budgets.
As residents of Ward 104 look ahead to the 2026 local government elections, there is a growing call for voters to better understand how the local electoral system works and why participation matters.
With elections expected to shape service delivery for the next five years, the message being shared is clear from Ward 104 councillor Emi Koekemoer: if residents want better outcomes, they need to make informed voting choices.
The current political instability, according to Koekemoer, is a result of democratic decisions, reinforcing the idea that every vote carries real consequences.
Read more: Ward councillor worries about the state of Randburg Fire Station
Voters in the 2026 local government elections will cast two ballots. The first ballot is used to vote for a ward councillor, who represents the local area directly. The second ballot is the proportional representation (PR) ballot, which determines how many seats each political party receives in the council.
The PR ballot does not elect an individual candidate. Instead, it allocates council seats to parties in proportion to the total number of votes they receive across the municipality. This system ensures that the final make-up of the council reflects overall voter support, not only the outcome in individual wards.
Koekemoer emphasised that misunderstanding this process can weaken the impact of a voter’s decision.
“Many people don’t understand that it’s critical to vote in local government elections because it directly affects service delivery,” said Koekemoer. “It’s also critical not to split your vote. Some people think one ballot is for a first choice and the second is for a second choice, which is not the case.”
Also read: Lucinda Harman resigns as Ward 102 councillor
Residents are also being encouraged to play a role beyond their own vote by motivating others to register and participate. The idea being promoted is simple: if every voter encourages just one additional person to vote, overall participation and representation improve.
As 2026 approaches, the focus in Ward 104 is on awareness, understanding, and responsibility.
With local government decisions directly influencing everyday services, residents are being urged to use both ballots wisely and to ensure their voices are fully reflected in council.
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