Brigalia Ntombemhlope Bam (born 1933) is an Anglican women's and social activist and writer. (wikipedia)
This is significantly higher than the 2000 municipal elections. There is almost a 50% increase in the total number of candidates, from 30 477 to 45 179. Parties contesting the elections have also increased by 19%, from 79 to 97.
So far, results in 64% of wards, 63% of proportional ballots and 71% of district councils have been counted, captured and audited.
This 5 o'clock deadline is not something that we decided on, it is specified in the law.
It is encouraging to note the overwhelming interest by South Africans in voting even after six successive elections.
We celebrate that, considering the agitation from the population.
The IEC is hopeful that 90% of the results will be posted by sunset.
This is a bit disappointing. We were hoping there would be more women councilors and mayors.
I regret it very much that this has come to us so late and I also regret it in the sense that it's a law in South Africa and we don't always change laws overnight in that manner. The special votes are not only affecting them - they're affecting other sectors in society.
