What happened
The Electoral Commission of South Africa announced that the 2026 local government elections are projected to draw a record 100,000 candidates, surpassing the 95,000 who contested in 2021. Some 508 registered political parties are on the IEC database.
Approximately 9,600 council seats across 4,468 wards will be contested. Current municipal council terms expire on 2 November, with elections required within 90 days.
Why it matters: This will be the most competitive local election in South Africa’s democratic history, with coalition politics now a reality at local level after the 2024 general election reshaped the political landscape.
Preparations
The IEC has been allocated R1.116 billion for the elections. The commission is recruiting approximately 70,000 registration staff for the voter registration weekend on 20-21 June. Some 40,000 voter management devices have undergone mandatory maintenance.
Software coding flaws from the 2024 general election have been resolved. Independent ICT auditors will conduct stress testing before the June registration weekend.
Candidate nominations close at the end of July. Election deposits are R1,800 for a single ward seat and R4,700 for a metropolitan council seat. Candidates receiving less than 10% of votes forfeit their deposits.
Political context
The uMkhonto weSizwe party under Jacob Zuma aims to capitalise on its 2024 surge. The ANC faces coalition governance as a reality in many municipalities. IEC Chair Mosotho Moepya said conversations about confirming the election date are “at an advanced stage.”
The IEC has ruled out e-voting for 2026.
What happens next
Voter registration weekend on 20-21 June. Candidate nominations close end of July. The minister is expected to formally confirm the election date soon. Political parties are intensifying ground campaigns, especially in metros where coalition governance is likely.