Parties sign pledge for Tlokwe by-elections
Six political parties this week signed a code of conduct pledging free and fair elections for the upcoming by-elections in the Tlokwe (Potchefstroom) municipality in North West on February 24.
The parties pledged they would reinforce a culture of tolerance, that they would not intimidate voters or candidates, and would not provoke any violence.
“By signing this pledge, the DA reinforces its commitment to free and fair elections, where the people choose who governs them without fear or intimidation,” said Juanita Terblanche, Democratic Alliance constituency head in Potchefstroom.
“The DA urges all other participating parties in these by-elections to adhere to the code of conduct as set out in the pledge and to ensure that the elections are free and fair.”
Parties also pledged to not reward people for voting for them, and not to deface or remove posters of other political parties.
The results of the 2013 by-elections in seven wards in Tlokwe were set aside following a lengthy legal process through the Election Court and later the Constitutional Court.
The Court found irregularities in the voters’ roll for the by-elections. The irregularities included voters from adjoining wards who had incorrectly registered for the by-elections and the fact that the electoral commission had not made available a voters’ roll with addresses to contending candidates.
Six political parties and eight independent candidates intend contesting the seven wards in the Tlokwe by-elections.
The by-elections would be held in wards 1,4,11,12,13,18 and 20.
The pledge was signed by the African Christian Democratic Party, African National Congress, Congress of the People, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Freedom Front Plus and independent candidates.
The DA said it hoped to take control of the Tlokwe municipality from the ANC after the local government elections later this year.
The party went to court, but lost its bid to block the amalgamation of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities.
The DA opposed the amalgamation on the grounds that it would have a negative impact on Potchefstroom’s financial position.
The DA controlled Tlokwe for seven months in 2013 after Annette Combrink was voted in as mayor.
While the DA tries to wrest control of the municipality from the ruling party, North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, in his capacity as ANC provincial chairman, said at the weekend that they would continue to control all 22 municipalities in the province.