Johnathan Paoli
By-elections are municipal elections held between South Africa’s five-yearly local government elections when a ward needs to elect a new councillor.
A by-election must be held if, among other reasons, a vacancy occurs in a ward (for example following the death of a councillor), a court sets aside an election, a council is dissolved, or the Electoral Commission does not declare a result within the prescribed period.
The by-election must generally take place within 90 days of the event that triggered it.
Unlike national and provincial elections, which use party lists, a municipal ward by-election is candidate-based: voters choose an individual ward candidate standing for a party or as an independent.
By-elections matter because municipal councils make decisions that shape everyday services and governance, including water and sanitation, electricity distribution, refuse removal, local roads and municipal health services.
To vote, you must be a registered voter and be a resident in the ward where you vote.
Registering or voting in a ward where you are not ordinarily resident is a criminal offence.
Voting is typically held on a Wednesday, with voting stations open from 7 am to 9 pm.
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