IEC warns parties, candidates: no late submissions after Friday deadline

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has issued a warning to political parties and independent candidates regarding the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections. The deadline for submitting candidate nominations is set for 5pm on Friday, August 28. The Commission emphasized that once the deadline passes, no late submissions or changes will be accepted.

The fixed date and times for the nominations are based on the election timetable and cannot be altered or negotiated. After 17h00 on Friday, the IEC stated that it will not accept any further submissions or changes.

The August 28 deadline pertains to the submission and completion of candidate nominations. The IEC's Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS) will not accept any late submissions after the cut-off time. Furthermore, no political party or independent candidate will be permitted to enter the IEC Offices after 17h00 with the intention of submitting candidate lists. The deadline falls within the ongoing election timetable as the IEC progresses towards the November 4 local government elections.

Earlier this month, the Commission reported that 111 political parties and 119 independent candidates had utilized the OCNS. The final list of successful candidates is projected to be published on September 16, followed by the issuance of certificates of candidacy on September 25. The Commission advised that a prompt completion of the nomination process would help prevent delays as it transitions into the post-nomination phase.

The IEC urged all political parties and candidates participating in the elections to ensure that their candidate nomination details and all necessary information are completed and submitted well ahead of the deadline in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the subsequent stages of the electoral process.