Six independent candidates contesting the upcoming by-elections in Tlokwe, have asked for more time to campaign, the IEC said on Tuesday.

“Some of the independents have requested the commission to postpone the by-elections next week. The commission is presently considering the matter,” Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) spokesperson Kate Bapela said.

The by-elections in wards one, four, 11, 12 and 20 of the municipality are scheduled to take place on 23 October.

The date was set after the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein heard an application by five independent candidates, who were disqualified from taking part in previous by-elections by the IEC.

The ANC retained control of two of three wards in the remainder of the by-elections in Tlokwe.

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

The seats were vacated when 14 ANC councillors were expelled from the party in July for participating in a motion of no confidence in then Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle. He was replaced as mayor by DA councillor Annette Combrink.

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee subsequently overturned the expulsions, but nominated other candidates for the by-elections.

Some of the former councillors decided to stand as independents.

– SAPA