VOTING IN METROPOLITAN AREAS

The ward-proportional representation system has been found to be a successful combination countrywide, as it ensures both accountable and representative local government. For this reason, the combination will continue in the next elections in metropolitan areas, and those municipalities large enough to have wards (see below).

However, this time round the seats will be split equally between ward and proportional representation candidates. In other words, 50% of seats will now be allocated to ward councillors instead of the 60% at present. The other 50% will consist of councillors elected from a party list.

One of the main reasons for the 50-50 split is to encourage more women to become councillors. Research has shown that more women councillors are elected through the proportional representation system than through wards.

The second major change to the electoral system is that the ward and proportional representation components will work together in a "mixed system" rather than the parallel system used in the last elections. This system is discussed later in this book.

Citizens living in large metro areas will directly elect metropolitan councillors to metropolitan councils (the Constitution calls these Category A municipalities). This means that the current two-tier system, where elected councillors choose representatives to serve at metro level, falls away.

SUBCOUNCILS

Certain types of metros will also set up subcouncils which will bring metropolitan local government closer to the people (see "Metropolitan government" and "Types of municipalities"). These will consist of clusters of neighbouring wards. They will be made up of ward councillors and proportional representation councillors. Proportional representation councillors will be allocated to subcouncils in proportion to the votes cast for parties in that subcouncil, using the seat quota formula (below) to work out how many votes a party needs to win in order to be allocated a seat.

Once the composition of the subcouncil has been worked out, councillors will then elect a subcouncil chairperson from among themselves.