{
  "id": 8201169,
  "title": "2026 local elections: IEC explains double-column ballots in major metros",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/2026-local-elections-iec-explains-double-column-ballots-in-major",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T07:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/the-star/2026-09-18-2026-local-elections-iec-explains-double-column-ballots-in-major-metros/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Voters in several major metros will face a new ballot layout in November, with the IEC confirming double-column PR ballots where more than 48 parties are contesting.",
  "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."
}