Municipal Demarcation Board

The MDB demarcates municipal boundaries after the local government elections. This is due to the fact that municipal boundaries have to be in place for each local government election.

Apart from the MDB’s own initiative, a request can also be made by the Minister or MEC, or on request from a municipality with the concurrence of any other municipality affected by the proposed determination or redetermination (Section 22).

In terms of the Municipal Demarcation Act, any member of the public may propose a municipal boundary re-determination. However, the MDB would prefer that there would be proof that there has been prior consultation with the affected communities and affected municipalities.

• The MDB has no mandate for demarcating provincial boundaries.

• Provincial boundary demarcations are a competence of Parliament through a constitutional amendment.

• Representations regarding changes to municipal boundaries affecting provincial boundaries need to be submitted to national Minister responsible for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is the custodian and therefore responsible for voting stations and voting districts.