{
  "id": 9772550,
  "title": "Deadline for parties, independent candidates to sign sample ballot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/deadline-for-parties-independent-candidates-to-sign-sample-ballot",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-25T13:10:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/1163608-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Political parties and independent candidates have until the end of business on Friday to sign the sample ballot at the Electoral Commission's headquarters in Centurion. This signing, along with the issuance of candidate certificates, is part of the preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections. The sample ballot provides a preview of what the actual ballot will look like. Voters in municipalities such as the City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni will receive double column ballots on Election Day, November 4th. This is because a large number of political parties are contesting seats in the provinces. Approximately 137,000 candidates will be running for municipal positions across the country.",
  "summary": "The sample ballot contains details of what the actual ballot will look like.",
  "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."
}