{"id":126918,"date":"2016-07-11T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-11T10:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/126918\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/"},"modified":"2016-07-12T09:06:58","modified_gmt":"2016-07-12T07:06:58","slug":"all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"All systems go for upcoming local government elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>By: GCN editorial team<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease campaign professionally, so that voters believe in your manifesto; don\u2019t force people to vote for you.\u201d<\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<p>These were the words of Dr Imogen Mashazi, Ekurhuleni\u2019s municipal electoral officer, at the signing of the electoral code of conduct, as a pledge to commit to free and fair elections.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 1\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MAz-WyXwJYE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p><div class=\"stream-item stream-item-in-post stream-item-inline-post aligncenter\"><\/div>\n<p>The political parties and independent candidates standing in Ekurhuleni gathered at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday, to sign the pledge which gives their party\u2019s support to the code of conduct.<\/p>\n<p>This code calls on parties to practice political tolerance towards each other during the campaigning period leading up to the local government elections on August 3.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 2\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9XiipAgrOKw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mashazi urged political parties to respect the rules.<\/p>\n<p>She added that there are 1.5 million registered voters in Ekurhuleni who will be making their mark at one of the 626 voting stations in the region.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 3\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X3I79eLWJIQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf these voting stations, 54 are tents, so temporary voting stations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile most of the tents will be erected on July 31, to be ready for special votes taking place on August 1 and 2, some will only be erected each morning of the voting process and then taken down at night.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 4\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mlMd1JiNzu8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is due to the fact that tents were burnt in a number of hot spot areas during the previous voting process.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Thandi Radebe, the programme director on the day, reminded the political parties that they must also ensure that their posting of placards adheres to the by-laws of the metro.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will take them down if they are put on traffic lights and electricity sub-stations,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 5\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oXUhFQBeFu8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>During the event, a number of other speakers chatted to the audience about various issues relating to the election process and the run-up to it.<\/p>\n<p>The main crux of the addresses was that the elections should be free and fair, political parties should not indulge in dirty fighting and voters should not be coerced into voting for a particular party.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 6\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aM9rmLzkGws?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Twenty-six political parties registered in Ekurhuleni to take part in the local government elections, of which two were disqualified, while five of the 19 independent candidates who registered were disqualified.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"IEC Ekurhuleni ready for local government elections 7\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zQ0z8_rCV48?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The event culminated in each political party representative and independent candidate signing the pledge and giving their support to free and fair elections in Ekurhuleni.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-126918 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/28gcnmunicipalie_79986\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_79986-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-126920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_79986-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_79986-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_79986.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-126920'>\n\t\t\t\tDr Imogen Mashazi, Ekurhuleni\u2019s municipal electoral officer, was among the guest speakers at the IEC\u2019s pledge-signing ceremony, held at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/28gcnmunicipalie_61831\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_61831-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-126921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_61831-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_61831-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_61831.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-126921'>\n\t\t\t\tNoria Mene, from Agang South Africa, was one of the representatives who signed the electoral code of conduct pledge during the IEC\u2019s pledge-signing ceremony, at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/28gcnmunicipalie_13835\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_13835-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-126922\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_13835-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_13835-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_13835.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-126922'>\n\t\t\t\tAs part of the IEC\u2019s pledge-signing ceremony, at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday, Patriotic Alliance representative Dino Peterson signed the electoral code of conduct pledge on behalf of his party.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/28gcnmunicipalie_08580\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_08580-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-126923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_08580-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_08580-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_08580.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-126923'>\n\t\t\t\tMohammed Khan, from the Congress of the People (COPE), pledged his party\u2019s commitment to a free and fair election, by signing the electoral code of conduct pledge, at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/28gcnmunicipalie_32043\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_32043-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-126919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_32043-270x203.jpg 270w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_32043-520x390.jpg 520w, https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/28GCNMUNICIPALIE_32043.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-126919'>\n\t\t\t\tSipho Watkins signed the electoral code of conduct pledge on behalf of the EFF, at the IEC\u2019s pledge-signing ceremony, at the Germiston Lapa, on Thursday. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0655-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0655-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127358\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127358'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0668-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0668-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127359\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127359'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0670-custom-5\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0670-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127360\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127360'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0694-custom\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0694-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127361\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127361'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0696-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0696-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127362\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127362'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0699-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0699-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127363\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127363'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0700-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0700-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127364\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127364'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0701-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0701-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127365\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127365'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0702-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0702-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127366\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127366'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_0703-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_0703-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127367\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127367'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1739-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1739-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127368\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127368'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1741-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1741-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127369\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127369'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1742-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1742-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127370\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127370'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1744-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1744-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127371\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127371'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1746-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1746-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127372\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127372'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1748-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1748-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127373\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127373'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1749-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1749-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127374\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127374'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1750-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1750-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127375\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127375'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1753-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1753-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127376\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127376'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1754-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1754-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127377\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127377'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1756-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1756-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127378\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127378'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1760-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1760-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127379\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127379'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1761-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1761-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127380\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127380'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1762-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1762-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127381\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127381'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1763-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1763-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127382\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127382'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1764-custom\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1764-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127383\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127383'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1766-custom-7\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1766-Custom1-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127384\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127384'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1767-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1767-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127385\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127385'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1768-custom-3\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1768-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127386\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127386'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/07\/11\/all-systems-go-for-upcoming-local-government-elections\/attachment\/img_1769-custom-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"270\" height=\"203\" src=\"https:\/\/dwu32cgxelq1c.cloudfront.net\/local_newspapers\/sites\/31\/2016\/07\/IMG_1769-Custom-270x203.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-127387\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-127387'>\n\t\t\t\tIEC pledge-signing ceremony.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Other articles you may be interested in:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/126467\/apply-for-a-special-vote-now\/\" target=\"_blank\">Apply for a special vote now<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/126618\/cachalia-takes-his-seat-in-council\/\" target=\"_blank\">Cachalia takes his seat in council<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"stream-item stream-item-below-post-content\">\n<div class='tenancy_slot tenancy_slot_1 jannah_ad' style='display: none;' data-query-id='da9200380ad608bdef05c63cb9adc837'><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The IEC in Ekurhuleni is ready for the upcoming local government elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1848,"featured_media":126919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"Melissa Hart, Leigh Hodgson and Puleng Sekabate","cxt_disable_google_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8515,2],"tags":[1003,11683,979,969,2737,2730,2734,1002,2749,2076],"class_list":["post-126918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-municipal-news","category-news-headlines","tag-ekurhuleni","tag-elections-local-government-elections","tag-germiston","tag-germiston-city-news","tag-iec","tag-leigh-hodgson","tag-melissa-hart","tag-metro","tag-puleng-sekabate","tag-vote"],"amp_enabled":true,"category_labels":{"Category":"News","SubCategory":"Municipal"},"tag_labels":["Ekurhuleni","elections. local government elections","germiston","germiston city news","iec","Leigh Hodgson","melissa hart","metro","Puleng Sekabate","vote"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1848"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126918"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126918\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}