PRETORIA, Gauteng — With the 2026 local government elections rapidly approaching, the civil society organization My Vote Counts (MVC) is issuing a stark warning against the hurried passage of the Coalitions Bill. Project lead for money in politics, Joel Bregman, argues that fast-tracking this critical legislation before the November 4 polls threatens to bypass essential constitutional public consultation, despite mounting pressure from CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and the ANC to finalize the law beforehand.
The Constitutional Risk of a Rushed Timeline
With approximately 70 to 76 days remaining until voters head to the polls, the push to finalize the bill has intensified. However, Bregman emphasizes that the legislation, which has been in development since 2024, is too consequential to be forced through a compressed timeline. The bill is designed to introduce stability, transparency, and structural clarity to hung municipal councils and coalition-driven local governments.
To safeguard democratic processes, My Vote Counts has formally written to the relevant portfolio committee, the select committee, and the speaker of parliament. The organization is seeking explicit guidance on how robust public participation will be facilitated. Bregman cautioned that skipping this step carries severe legal vulnerabilities, pointing out that the Constitutional Court has a established precedent of striking down legislation that fails to undergo proper public consultation.
Navigating the Mechanics of Coalition Agreements
The current iteration of the bill mandates that political parties form binding coalition agreements if no single party secures a 50 percent plus one majority in a council. While this is a step up from the vaguer 2024 draft, Bregman noted that the legislation still lacks practical clarity on how these agreements will be enforced in the inherently messy reality of local politics. Legislating cooperation, he argued, cannot magically force parties to work together for a full five-year term if the foundational political will is absent.
On a positive note, My Vote Counts praised the latest draft for completely removing electoral thresholds. The civil society group had previously campaigned strenuously against such thresholds, warning they would systematically marginalize smaller parties and artificially consolidate the power of larger, dominant political entities.
The Accountability Dilemma: Motions of No Confidence
A central point of debate within the bill is the proposed limitation on motions of no confidence. Bregman acknowledged that these motions have historically been weaponized without proper grounds, leading to council paralysis, halted budgets, and disrupted service delivery.
However, he warned that overcorrecting this issue presents its own democratic risk. Severely restricting motions of no confidence could strip communities of a vital mechanism needed to hold poorly performing councilors accountable. Striking the right balance remains a complex legislative challenge.
Empowering Voters Through Pre-Election Transparency
Ultimately, Bregman stressed that no amount of legislation can replace genuine political maturity. The recurring “musical chairs” of shifting alliances and petty infighting will continue until parties prioritize long-term service delivery over narrow political gains.
To protect the electorate from going to the polls blind, My Vote Counts is advocating for greater pre-election transparency. Bregman suggested that political parties should proactively declare which other parties they are considering aligning with, along with the core policies they would pursue in a coalition.
Providing voters with this clarity before election day would demonstrate a genuine commitment to transparency. It would ensure that post-election governance reflects the mandates given by the public, rather than resulting in dramatic, unmandated policy shifts negotiated behind closed doors after the votes are counted.
