PRETORIA, GAUTENG — As the 2026 Local Government Elections approach this November, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has moved to clarify key candidate nomination rules and the electoral code of conduct. Addressing public concerns, the IEC outlined the legal frameworks governing multiple ward candidacies, municipal residency requirements for ward councillors, and the strict punitive measures for parties that violate election rules.
The fielding of the same candidates across multiple wards or party lists has sparked debate ahead of the local government elections. While critics argue the practice confuses voters, supporters maintain it offers political parties necessary flexibility. Mmakgabo Ramatlhodi, Assistant Manager for Civic and Democracy Education at the IEC, clarified that current laws and constitutional rights permit political parties to nominate candidates on multiple lists.
However, the IEC requires parties to finalize their choices before the nomination process concludes. Ramatlhodi explained that the Commission notified affected political parties on September 4, giving them until September 7 to decide which lists their candidates would remain on. This mandatory consolidation process resulted in the final candidate list dropping from over 140,000 to just over 136,000.
“The electoral commission cannot make a determination on behalf of contesting parties in terms of who to field,” Ramatlhodi noted, emphasizing that the choice remains the prerogative of the political parties to decide whom they wish to field as candidates.
Another point of voter concern involves the residency requirements for ward councillors. Addressing whether a candidate must live in the specific ward or city they wish to represent, Ramatlhodi clarified that the law only requires a candidate to be a registered voter within the broader municipality. For example, a voter registered in the municipality of Johannesburg is legally permitted to contest any ward within that entire municipality, rather than being restricted to their specific residential ward.
Looking ahead to the campaigning period, the IEC also emphasized the importance of the electoral code of conduct, which aims to foster tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate to ensure a conducive environment for free and fair elections.
When asked about the consequences of breaching these rules, Ramatlhodi outlined severe punitive measures. Offenders may face fines, forfeiture of their election deposit, suspension from campaigning in specific areas, cancellation of their votes, or even the cancellation of their party’s registration.
While the IEC enforces the rules, Ramatlhodi specified that the Electoral Court ultimately determines the appropriate punitive measure for any specific contravention. Furthermore, to ensure a completely transparent electoral environment, contesting parties, candidates, and their supporters were reminded of a recently signed pledge to the Disinformation Code, which operates alongside the traditional electoral code of conduct to combat false information during the campaign season.
