IEC Gears Up for 2026 Local Government Elections
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is fast-tracking preparations for the 2026/2027 Local Government Elections as South Africans will head to the polls between November 2026 and the end of January 2027.
With municipal councils’ five-year terms ending on 2 November 2026, the Commission held a media briefing to share key update in the electoral landscape with the nation.
The exact date remains under wraps as consultations between the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the IEC continue.
“Consultations between the Minister and the Commission have commenced, but yet to be concluded,” CEO Sy Mamabolo explained.
The commission is working around the clock to ensure readiness, with the Municipal Demarcation Board set to deliver final ward boundaries by the end of October 2025. However, eighteen municipalities will face delays due to ongoing external boundary reviews.
Political Landscape Explodes
The political battlefield is becoming increasingly crowded. Since the 2024 National/Provincial elections, 34 new political parties have registered, with 13 joining the fray just between July and August 2025.
The total now stands at a staggering 472 registered parties – 287 at national level and 185 at provincial or municipal level.
“The Commission will convene a series of information sessions starting in November 2025 with registered but unrepresented political parties and aspiring independent candidates,” Mamabolo announced.
New regulations effective from 18 August 2025 have dramatically altered the political funding landscape:
- Minimum disclosure threshold jumped from R100,000 to R200,000
- Maximum annual donation doubled from R15 million to R30 million.
The changes follow the IEC’s inaugural Political Funding Symposium in Durban, where stakeholders called for enhanced oversight and broader funding support for local government elections.
Responding to a question by Mapepeza, Mamabolo explained that the Commission’s Multiparty Democracy Fund will not financially support any party to contest in the 2026/27 polls.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Auditor-General awarded the IEC a clean audit opinion for both financial statements and political funding management.
Registration Drive Intensifies
The commission is urging citizens to update their voter registration details, particularly those who have relocated to other parts of the country.
“Register where you live, and vote where you’re registered,” the IEC emphasized, promoting its 24/7 online platform at Registertovote.elections.org.za.