WATCH | IEC unveils plan for 2026 Local Government Elections
The IEC will brief the media on Tuesday, outlining key preparations and developments ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections
Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
The Electoral Commission (IEC) is unveiling its plans ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) in November next year.
The upcoming polls come as municipalities across the country face worsening service delivery challenges, including unreliable water supply, frequent electricity cuts, poor waste collection, and deteriorating roads.
The Commission announced that the next local elections are expected to take place between November 2, 2026, and January 31, 2027.
Political parties have already begun naming their mayoral candidates for the key metros. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced Chairperson of the Federal Council, Helen Zille, as its candidate for the City of Johannesburg, while Haniff Hoosen will represent the DA in eThekwini.
ActionSA has also named Xolani Khumalo as its mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni.
According to the IEC, the final date for the elections will be determined by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo confirmed that consultations with the Minister had already begun but were yet to be finalised.
He assured the public that preparations were well underway despite an increase in the number of political parties seeking to participate.
“Political contestants remain critical in this planning phase,” Mamabolo said, noting that the Commission would hold a series of information sessions starting in November 2025 for registered but unrepresented political parties and aspiring independent candidates.
Since the 2024 general elections, the IEC has registered 34 new political parties, bringing the total number of registered parties in South Africa to 472 — the highest in the country’s history. Of these, 287 are registered nationally, while 185 operate at provincial, district, or metropolitan levels.
Mamabolo said the surge in registrations reflected a “vibrant and active democracy” but also pointed to a gap between registration and representation, as only 18 parties currently hold seats in Parliament.
“The surge in registrations points to increasing political engagement. However, it also underscores the Commission’s critical role in upholding electoral stability, transparency, and accuracy as more parties seek to contest elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has strengthened the IEC’s leadership through the appointment of new commissioners in terms of Section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, following recommendations from the National Assembly.
The commissioners will serve for a period of seven years, said the presidency.
Joyce Pitso and Mosotho Moepya have been appointed as full-time commissioners, while Judge Dhaya Pillay will serve as a part-time member.
Ramaphosa has also designated Moepya as the chairperson of the Commission in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Act.
In a statement, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the President “wishes the commissioners well in safeguarding the integrity of diverse elections in the country.’’
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