Provincial spokesperson, Mmathabo Rasengane, says special votes will take place from 08:00 to 17:00, and assures the public that this will be done under strict Covid-19 pandemic regulations. Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated by-elections, Rasengane urges all voters to also observe Covid-19 regulations when voting. OFM News previously reported that the November 11 by-elections on the Free State will include two wards in the Mangaung Metro, one in the Mohokare Municipality, and one in Matjhabeng Municipality.

The four wards all became vacant as a result of the death of their councillors.

The by-elections are the first to be held since election activities were suspended in March this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and will include those that had to take place in the past months.

Voters, election staff, and all those entering the voting station will be required to wear a mask at all times. Voters are also encouraged to bring their own pens to mark their ballot papers, although pens will be provided and sanitised after each use.

Briefing the media on Monday regarding the IEC's state of readiness, the Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said 95 municipal ward by-elections are scheduled to take place in different parts of the country on November 11, in 55 municipalities across the country, and are expected to affect over 600 000 registered voters.

OFM News