IEC gives tentative timeframe for local government elections

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) announced that the 2026 local government elections will occur between 2 November 2026 and 31 January 2027, although it has not set an exact date.

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will officially announce the election date after consulting with the commission.

Mamabolo added that the minister, currently Velenkosini Hlabisa, and the commission have started consultations but have not yet concluded them.

Record Number of Political Parties

Since the 2024 general elections, the IEC has registered 34 new political parties. Bringing the total number of officially registered parties to a record 472.

Despite the increase in registered parties, only 18 currently hold seats in Parliament, highlighting the gap between party registration and actual electoral success.

Preparing Political Contestants

Mamabolo stated that starting in November 2025, the IEC will conduct information sessions for registered but unrepresented parties and aspiring independent candidates to prepare them for the upcoming elections.

“These sessions will ensure that political contestants understand electoral processes and can participate fully,” he said.

Electoral Stability and Public Warning

Mamabolo emphasized that the IEC must uphold stability, transparency, and accuracy as more parties join the political landscape.

He also warned the public about fake job postings and fraudulent pages falsely claiming ties to the IEC.

“These scams are designed to mislead people into sharing personal information,” he warned.