IEC CLARIFIES CANDIDATE NOMINATION PROCESS FOR 2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
The Electoral Commission has clarified that no political party or independent candidate will be granted additional time to capture candidates following the closure of the nomination process for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The IEC said the candidate nomination process officially closed on Friday, 28 August 2026 at 17:00, and it has not allowed, nor does it intend to allow, any party or independent candidate an additional opportunity to capture nominations.
The clarification follows a statement issued by the African National Congress on 31 August 2026 regarding the submission of its nominated candidates for the upcoming local government elections.
The Commission said matters relating to the intricacies of the candidate nomination process will be discussed through the National Political Liaison Committee, which comprises all parties represented in the National Assembly.
The IEC has also dismissed concerns regarding access to its Online Candidate Nomination System, saying the system remained available to users throughout the nomination process, including on the final day.
Although the official nomination period began on 7 August 2026, following Proclamation Day, the Commission said it opened the online nomination system as early as 21 June 2026 to provide contestants with sufficient time to use the system ahead of the deadline.
The Commission will provide a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the candidate nomination process and outline the next milestones for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, 2 September 2026 at Election House, Riverside Office Park in Centurion.
The IEC said it remains committed to conducting a transparent, impartial and credible electoral process and will continue providing official information through its established communication channels.
