IEC locks down local government election schedule

Following the official proclamation of the 4 November local government elections, the South African Electoral Commission (IEC) has implemented stringent timelines and strict rules. The window for voter registration closed at midnight on Friday, just hours after the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, announced the election date via gazette.

This closure set into motion a countdown of 89 days until Election Day, with the IEC firmly stating that no political party or independent candidate would be permitted to disregard these deadlines.

The midnight deadline for the voters' roll imposed a firm restriction on registrations, allowing no additions beyond that point. The voters' roll, which has now expanded to 29 million voters, opened for public inspection today. Objections to the roll can be lodged until 18 August, with decisions on these objections to be communicated by 24 August, and the certified roll publicly announced on 26 August.

Registration efforts have recently been bolstered by two registration weekends in June and August, which contributed to the addition of two million new voters.

Candidate nominations opened on Friday and will remain open for 21 days, closing on 28 August at 5pm. Submission of nominations can be done either through the IEC’s online system or hand-delivered to municipal offices, with no leeway beyond the deadline. Lists of final candidates will be made public on 16 September, and candidate certificates will be issued on 25 September.

The financial stakes are significant, with deposits ranging from R4,700 for metro candidates to a substantial R693,600 for those running in every municipality. Independent candidates contesting at the ward level must also pay a deposit of R1,800.

Political parties are numerous, with the IEC currently registering 674 parties, including 330 nationally and 32 provincially. Special voting arrangements are in place for 2 and 3 November, accommodating voters with physical disabilities, illnesses, or those serving in emergency services. Applications for special voting can be submitted from 21 September to 12 October, 5pm, via the IEC website, municipal offices, or through a paid SMS to 32249.

Voters can cast their ballots in familiar settings—be it at home, in care facilities, or at designated voting stations. The IEC has reinforced the rule that all voters must cast their ballots at the station where they are officially registered.

Critics from political parties and stakeholders are anticipated to scrutinize the IEC's schedule as the election process progresses.