Political parties and independent candidates can now submit nominations for municipal elections scheduled for 4 November across South Africa.
Nominations for candidates contesting the 2026 Local Government Elections opened on 7 August and will close at 17:00 on 28 August, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced.
The nomination period marks a crucial step in preparations for the municipal elections scheduled for 4 November, where voters will elect both ward councillors and Proportional Representation (PR) councillors across the country.
Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse urged all prospective contestants to familiarise themselves with the requirements and ensure all documentation is completed within the prescribed timeframe.
“The IEC urges all prospective contestants to familiarise themselves with the requirements and procedures for the submission of candidate nominations and to ensure that all required documentation is completed and submitted within the prescribed timeframe,” Hendrickse said.
Who can stand for election
All candidates must be registered voters on the municipal segment of the voters’ roll for the municipality they wish to contest. Candidates must be 18 years or older and hold South African citizenship.
Independent candidates can contest metropolitan council wards or local council wards, whilst registered parties can contest metropolitan and local council ward seats as well as PR seats in metropolitan, local and district councils.
Independent candidates must be nominated by a registered voter from their municipality, with their nomination supported by at least 50 registered voters in the ward they are contesting.
The Constitution of South Africa, read with the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, disqualifies certain individuals from standing as candidates. These include unrehabilitated insolvents, anyone declared to be of unsound mind by a court, and anyone convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. The latter disqualification ends five years after the sentence has been completed.
Electoral deposits required
Registered political parties and independent candidates must pay mandatory deposits to confirm their intention to participate. The required deposits are R4 700 for elections in a metro (covering all PR and ward candidates of a party), R2 800 in a local council election, R1 800 in a district council election, and R1 800 for each independent ward candidate.
How to submit nominations
The IEC encourages parties and independent candidates to use the online submission platform, the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS). Parties and independents must first apply for access and designate an Online Party Administrator who will serve as the system’s unique “super user”.
Alternatively, nomination documents and proof of payment can be submitted manually at local IEC offices before the deadline. For manual submissions in the City of Cape Town Metro, the designated venue is the Athlone office.
Both nomination channels close at 17:00 on 28 August, with no submissions accepted beyond this point. The IEC will publish the final list of successful candidates on 16 September.
Further information is available at www.elections.org.za or by contacting mediawc@elections.org.za or 021 910 5700.
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