‘They don’t want fair competition’: DA takes parties to Electoral Court over candidate lists

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed a legal complaint against four political parties - ActionSA, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and Good - over municipal candidate lists for the 2026 local government elections. The DA argues that voters should be aware of the individuals who will ultimately hold proportional representation (PR) seats before they cast their votes.

The dispute centers around the parties' alleged practice of submitting only one candidate per municipality they are contesting, while potentially adding more names to their lists after the election. The DA contends that this tactic violates the intent behind the law that allows limited circumstances for parties to supplement their candidate lists.

According to DA Federal Council chairperson Ashor Sarupen, the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act requires parties to submit their candidate lists ahead of an election. However, the law provides for adding candidates before the first municipal council meeting only if the party genuinely underestimated their level of support and won additional PR seats.

Sarupen argues that parties should not abuse this narrow exception to convert it into an election strategy that undermines democracy and prevents voters from knowing who they are voting for. The DA also criticized the parties for allegedly "bending the rules" by hiding their candidates until after the election, which is contrary to the purpose of an election.

The ANC has been excluded from contesting in several municipalities after failing to submit its candidate lists to the IEC by the deadline. The DA argues that if the ANC had engaged in the same deception of voters by submitting only one name on their list, it would still be on the ballot. The ANC is appealing the Electoral Court's decision that ruled in favor of the IEC.