KIMBERLEY, Northern Cape — As the 2026 Northern Cape local government elections approach, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reported a sharp decline in the number of independent candidates contesting for municipal seats. Despite this drop, voters across the province, particularly in the Sol Plaatje Municipality, will see a significantly expanded ballot featuring a record number of political parties.
According to the IEC, the number of independent candidates in the Northern Cape is now less than half of what it was in the previous cycle. This year, only 13 independent candidates are contesting across eight municipalities in the province, a stark contrast to the 68 who ran in 2021. This phenomenon is mirrored on a national scale, with the number of independent candidates dropping from 944 in 2021 to just over 600 contesting the elections this year.
An Electoral Commission (IEC) spokesperson emphasized that independent candidates remain vital to democracy in South Africa. “Independents hail directly from the communities they seek votes from and are close to the people once elected,” the spokesperson noted. They added that when independents win, it demonstrates a strong support base within their communities, as they “speak to the heart of people” and understand what materializes on the ground. Consequently, when independents win an election, it signifies that communities support them over and above established political parties.
The IEC spokesperson attributed the national and provincial decline to a few primary factors, chiefly the ease of access to register and contest as a political party rather than as an independent. Furthermore, the deposit required for contestation is minimal, with only a 1,000 rand difference compared to political party requirements. This makes it more practical for candidates to contest under a party banner across an entire municipality, where their chances of securing a seat become significantly higher.
On the upside, the number of political parties participating in these elections has increased tremendously. In Johannesburg alone, approximately 75 political parties are participating, up from about 70 in 2021. The IEC noted that this represents the largest number of political parties contesting an election ever seen in those municipalities. This surge is largely attributable to recent political dynamics; in the past, smaller parties such as Al Jama-ah in Johannesburg, even with just one or two seats, were still able to secure mayoral positions through coalition agreements.
With just over a week to go before the polls, both independent and party candidates are hoping they have done enough to win the hearts and votes of the electorate. As the Northern Cape local government elections draw near, the expanded party presence promises to offer voters a wide array of choices at the ballot box.
