Central SA
IEC geared for by-election in Free State municipality─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 12:37 Wed, 02 Apr 2025
It’s all systems go for municipal by-elections in the Ngwathe Local Municipality in the Free State, with the voting expected to take place next month.
The IEC says the by-elections to be held in Ward 16, Ngwathe, will be contested on Wednesday 28 May 2025 by members of political parties and independent candidates. The voter registration will be held this coming weekend, Saturday (5/4) and Sunday (6/4).
IEC spokesperson in the Free State Mmathabo Rasengane said voting stations will open from 08:00 to 17:00 to allow all eligible voters to register and for current voters to check their registration details and to provide or update address details, where necessary.
“The Electoral Commission remind eligible voters to bring their identity document (ID) for registration, either a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid temporary ID certificate. Eligible voters will be required to complete their physical home address on registration or provide sufficient particulars of their place of residence. A documented proof of address (e.g. a municipal account) is not required,” she said.
Rasengane said voters may also check and update their details at their local municipal IEC office on weekdays during office hours. “Voters are reminded that it is a criminal offence to register and vote in a ward in which they are not ordinarily a resident.”
Ward 16 in the Ngwathe Municipality became vacant as a result of the councillor’s death. Rasengane said registration and voting will take place at the Ipatleleng Primary School and Rebatla Thuso Secondary School.
The special votes will take place at voting stations as well as through home visits on 27 May 2025 between 08:00 and 17:00. Rasengane said voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply at their local IEC office during office hours between 12 May and 16 May 2025. Applications for special votes can also be made online via the IEC’s website: www.elections.org.za.
Once voters have applied online, they will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome when their application has been processed. They can also check the status of their special vote application online at www.elections.org.za.
