{
  "id": 5105197,
  "title": "IEC records 43% increase in candidates for 2026 local elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/iec-records-43-increase-in-candidates-for-2026-local-elections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T13:49:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/iec-records-43-increase-in-candidates-for-2026-local-elections/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Electoral Commission (IEC) reports a significant surge in candidates for the upcoming 2026 local government elections in South Africa. The commission disclosed this information to the media during a briefing at its headquarters in Centurion. During the 2021 elections, 99,000 candidates participated in the municipal polls, but this year, the IEC received over 142,000 nominations, marking a 43% increase in the number of candidates.\n\nThe data reveals that men are the predominant group among the nominees, accounting for 56% of all nominations, whereas women comprise 44%. The Proportional Representative (PR) lists, too, are dominated by men, with 56% of the nominations being male, compared to 44% women. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya provided further insights into the figures, stating that the 142,072 nominations received for the 2026 elections represent a 43% increase compared to the 2021 elections.\n\nThe profile of the nominated candidates is predominantly middle-aged, with 58% falling within the age range of 36 to 55 years. The age group of 41-45 years accounts for the highest concentration, representing 16% of the nominated candidates. Gender analysis indicates that men constitute nearly two-thirds of all nominations, while women make up 38% of the total. In the ward elections component, 65% of the candidates are male, and women constitute 35% of the contestants.",
  "summary": "This year the IEC received more than 142 000 nominations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}