GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Although declared a public holiday, 1 November should not be a complete holiday if you are a registered voter.
This is when you should be making your mark and helping to decide who will govern the greater Mossel Bay area for the next five years.
In the Western Cape, according to the certified voter's roll for the local government elections as on 26 September, 3 111 930 voters should be casting their votes.
The largest number of these are female, at 1 715 585, compared to the 1 396 345 male voters. Interestingly, the age category 18-19, stands at 22 114 voters, showing a notable rise since 4 May this year, when it was only 3 940.
Even 80 plussers are still prepared to make their voices heard, with this age group standing at 76 531 voters.
Across the province, 96 registered parties and 85 independents will be contesting the election. The candidate split is predominantly male at 7 743 candidates. There are 4 691 women candidates.
Youth candidates, under 30 years of age, total 904.
Mossel Bay
In Mossel Bay, 59 270 voters went to the polls during the previous election in 2016. The number registered has since increased to 64 309
Thirty-three voting stations are being set up across the greater Mossel Bay area, with special votes being cast on 30 and 31 October.
There are 29 seats available, representing 15 wards as opposed to the 14 wards in the previous elections. Fifteen of these seats are for ward councillors and 14 go to provisional councillors.
Since the previous election, the Democratic Alliance dominated in council. This year, for the first time in the greater Mossel Bay area, the FF Plus put forward candidates in every ward.
It is expected that on 2 November, there will a good indication of who the ruling party will be. Should an absolute majority by a single party not be achieved, a coalition may be on the cards for Mossel Bay.
Thirteen parties and five independents are contesting the local election. Among them are parties with a national footprint, but also smaller parties hoping to increase their support. Those in the know believe these smaller parties may have a notable effect on the possibility of securing the necessary majority.
Covid-19
All voting stations will adhere to strict Covid-19 protocols.
"Voters are allowed to make use of their own pens," confirmed Michaal Hendricks, Western Cape provincial chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Hendricks also said indelible ink, dispensed from a bottle and applied with a cotton bud, would be used to mark voters. Each voter will be marked with a new cotton bud.
On Election Day this Monday, 1 November, voters will receive three ballot papers on which they have to indicate their choice of a ruling political party for their residential ward, for Mossel Bay Municipality and for the Garden Route District Municipality.
Voters need to bring their identity documents (green bar-coded ID book or smart card); a mask; and their enthusiasm.
All voting stations will be open from 07:00 until 21:00.
Hessequa region
Voters will receive three ballot papers on which they have to indicate their choice of a ruling political party for their residential ward, for Hessequa Municipality and for the Garden Route District Municipality.
The rest is the same as above.
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