IEC gears up for 2026 Local Elections, launches E-Voting consultations
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has laid out its roadmap to the 2026 Local Government Elections, with ward boundary consultations underway and elections expected between 2 November 2026 and 30 January 2027.
The Commission is also exploring the potential of electronic voting, following a national conference held in March. A six-month public consultation period is now open to gather views, with a final policy expected by March 2026. The IEC emphasized that trust, infrastructure, and digital inclusivity will be central to any e-voting system.
Efforts to increase youth voter participation are ongoing, with outreach campaigns in schools and tertiary institutions. Despite youth making up a third of the population, only 28% of registered voters are under 35.
Since June 2024, the IEC has administered 133 by-elections and replaced 425 proportional representatives. It’s also in the process of deregistering inactive political parties, 53 of which failed to confirm their status.
In political funding news, the IEC confirmed that R335 million will be distributed to 20 represented parties in 2025/26. A national symposium on political funding will be held in Durban in June.
As Freedom Day approaches, the IEC reaffirmed its commitment to credible, free, and fair elections.