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The IEC is seeking public comment on proposed deposit amounts for local government elections.
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- The Electoral Commission of SA is seeking public comment on proposed deposit amounts for local government elections.
- Deposits range from R1 800 to R4 700, depending on the type of municipality and candidate.
- Deposits are refunded only if candidates win a seat or receive at least 10% of the votes.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has invited all political parties, independent candidates and voters to comment on the proposed deposit amount for the upcoming local government elections.
By law, registered political parties and independent candidates intending to contest elections are required to pay deposits that confirm their intention to participate in the election and clarify who the contestants are.
The proposed deposits are:
R4 700 in an election in a metropolitan municipality;
R2 800 in an election in a local municipality with wards; and
R1 800 in an election in a local municipality without wards and in an election in a district municipality.
A government notice, published on 27 March, reads: “The amount of the deposit referred to in Section 17(2)(d) of the Act, is R1 800 in respect of an independent ward candidate and for a ward candidate nominated by a party who is not contesting the election of the relevant municipal council by way of a party list.”
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The notice said registered political parties and independent candidates intending to contest elections must, in line with Section 14(1)(b) and Section 17(2)(d) of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, pay prescribed deposits as part of the administrative requirements for the effective organisation and conduct of elections, together with the submission of candidate nomination documents.
The notice read:
The purpose of the deposit is to confirm a contestant’s serious intention to participate in the election and to create certainty on who the contestants in an election are.
“Deposits are refundable to contestants who obtain a seat in the applicable proportional representation election, or who obtain at least 10% of the valid votes cast in the applicable ward election.
“Where a contestant does not meet this threshold, the deposit is not refundable and is paid into the national revenue fund.”
The IEC has set 8 May as the deadline for comments.
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