CONTENTS

Introduction
The first democratic municipal elections
The proportional representation and ward systems: working together
Voting in metropolitan areas
Voting outside of metropolitan areas
"Mixed" electoral system replaces the "parallel" system
Delimitation
The candidates
Uncontested elections
By-elections
Election of municipal office-bearers
Administration of municipal, provincial and national elections
What will happen in 2000-01?
Conclusion

About this book

This book explains the four most important policies and practices that will differ from the first local government elections in 1995-96:

  • The system of electing councillors in metropolitan and local areas.
  • The system of electing councillors in district areas.
  • Systems of election within councils for committees and office-bearers.
  • Managing elections in collaboration with the Independent Electoral Commission.

Full details of the new electoral system can be found in the Municipal Structures Act (1998).

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO READERS

On 15 October 1999 the Constitutional Court found sections 4, 5, 6(2) and 24(1) of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998 to be unconstitutional.

This judgement was delivered after preparation of the booklets in this publication series, and affects some of the content of the booklets.

When reading about the designation of categories A, B or C municipalities; district management areas; guidelines for deciding the type of municipality that is to be established in a province; and the term of office of a municipality, please note that the court's decision means that:

  • The Municipal Demarcation Board and not the Minister of Provincial and Local Government must decide which areas must have category A municipalities and which must have municipalities of both categories B and C.
  • The Municipal Demarcation Board and not the minister must decide which areas must have a district management area.
  • It will no longer be possible for the minister to determine guidelines to assist MECs for local government to decide which type of municipality will be appropriate for a particular area.
  • The terms of municipal councils will be determined by Parliament and not by the minister.