LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: IEC finalises ballot while ANC faces exclusion in six municipalities

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in South Africa has finalized the list of candidates for the local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026. This decision comes after the African National Congress (ANC) faced being completely shut out in two municipalities and affected in four others. The Electoral Court ruled against the ANC's challenge to the exclusion of 181 candidates, resulting from nominations not being finalized before the deadline on August 28.

The IEC has prepared to publish the final list of contestants, despite the ANC's intention to appeal the court's decision. The commission has noted the court's ruling and will proceed with the election timetable. Of the 136,790 candidates who met the statutory requirements, 98,219 are party-nominated ward candidates, 38,571 are party candidates contesting proportional representation seats, and 621 are independent candidates contesting ward seats.

Ten,526 seats will be contested in the elections, a slight increase from 10,478 in 2021. However, the number of certified candidates has significantly increased from 95,427 in 2021 to 136,790 this year. The IEC deputy CEO for electoral operations, Masego Sheburi, emphasized that the election deadlines are immutable and designed to protect the right to participate in free and fair elections.

He stated that the commission cannot bend the timelines for contestants who failed to complete the required process, as this would undermine the integrity of the electoral process.