LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: An ANC candidate list blunder could cost the party in the Eastern Cape
A technical submission dispute could shut the ANC out of two Eastern Cape strongholds and cut its PR representation in four councils unless the Electoral Court intervenes.
The African National Congress (ANC) faces potential electoral setbacks in six South African municipalities during the 4 November local government elections. The party's candidate list for the local elections could be invalidated, costing it both direct representation and proportional representation (PR) seats. If the Electoral Court upholds the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) rejection of 181 candidates, the ANC could lose its candidates in two Eastern Cape municipalities – Ingquza Hill and Port St Johns – and see its PR representation in four other councils reduced.
The ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but rejected the notion that one individual was responsible, emphasizing that the party has registered 97% of its ward candidates and 90% of its PR candidates nationally. The stakes are highest in Ingquza Hill and Port St Johns, where the ANC could be completely excluded from the ballot if its legal challenge fails.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
