Ballot paper in some areas will have double column: IEC

Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo has sought to explain that the ballot paper in some areas will have a double column due to the high number of political parties in some municipalities.

Mamabolo was briefing the media in Centurion on Wednesday on the finalisation of candidates contesting the November Fourth Local Government Elections.

Mamabolo says the high number of political parties contesting has some implications on the design of the ballot papers.

“A double column ballot paper is inevitable where there are more than 48 parties on that PR ballot. In the following municipalities the parties will unavoidably be accommodated on a double column ballot paper. Johannesburg would have 75 parties on its PR ballot, Tshwane will similarly have 70 parties, eThekwini 69 parties, Ekurhuleni 67 parties, Cape Town 55 parties.”