ANC STATEMENT ON RESULTS OF BY-ELECTIONS
The results of the local government by-elections held around the country yesterday (Wednesday, 10 December 2008) offer both encouragement and challenges for the African National Congress.
The ANC scored a number of important victories in most parts of the country. Where the ANC won, it typically did so with significant margins.
The results of elections in the Western Cape pose a significant challenge for the ANC.
The ANC is concerned that many voters in Cape Town were denied their right to vote for a candidate of their choice based on a technical problem within the IEC. The relatively low turnout in the municipality points to the impact of these problems.
The ANC emerges from these elections with a renewed determination to consolidate its significant support in the metro and the province, and to do the groundwork that is needed to mobilise people to vote.