A crime or not to advise voters to spoil ballots?
Stellenbosch is buzzing with excitement for the by-election in ward 9 due to take place tomorrow.
But behind the scenes a movement has started urging voters to rather spoil their ballot papers in objection to the proposed parking garage proposed by the DA lead municipal council.
Only two parties are contesting ward 9, which covers most of the central business district, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Council (ANC)
Some residents in opposition to the construction of the proposed parking garage is driving a campaign urging voters to spoil the ballot papers as a sign that they do not accept this project, which has become a bone of contention in town.
“The Ward 9 by-election on 14 May is your chance to send a clear message: we reject the proposed parking garage behind the Town Hall,’ quotes a letter sent to www.stellenboschmonitor.com.
“More than 2,300 residents signed a petition opposing this plan, and 97% of participants in the public process objected – yet the DA continues to push it forward. Groups like Young Urbanists, the Active Mobility Forum, Stellenbosch Interest Group and Stellenbosch Fietsry have all highlighted how this project violates the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Spatial Development Framework.
“Former Ward 9 Councillor Zelda Dalling resigned after being pressured to support the project, writing: ‘I experienced the process of securing a desired caucus vote as unbecomingly coercive.’”
It continues to state that spoiling the ballot is now a powerful protest without an independent candidate.
“Let your spoiled vote stand against poor planning, political coercion, and the erosion of Stellenbosch’s character. Defend the democratic process, oppose coercion, and stand for Stellenbosch,” it reads.
Rumours now have it that some voters contesting the by-election has laid criminal charges against these protesters and some residents argue that such a protest could be seen as impeding on the democratic rights of other potential voters. It is argued that the difference between a spoilt ballot and abstaining is that the former is in most instances a form of protest while abstaining can be either protest or simply voter apathy.
The IEC does not mention such actions in its code of conduct and only states. It merely states that it is an electoral offence to force anybody to vote or not to vote in an election. In this instance no force is used and the recommendation to spoil ballots should be seen as a motivation to oppose a specific action by the council.