By Zuko Komisa

- South Africans will vote in the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.
- Candidate nominations close strictly at 5 pm on Friday, 28 August.
- Late entries via the online portal or IEC offices will be automatically rejected.
Political parties and independent candidates face a final deadline to complete their submissions for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed that candidate nominations must be fully submitted by 5 pm on Friday, 28 August, to secure a place on the ballot.
The IEC has warned that the cut-off time is fixed by the official election timetable and cannot be altered or negotiated.
After the 5 pm deadline, the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS) will shut down automatically, and physical access to IEC offices for list submissions will close.
“The Commission urges all political parties and candidates who intend to participate in the elections to ensure that their candidate nomination details and all required information are completed and submitted well ahead of the deadline. This will enable a seamless transition to post-nomination processes.”
Voters will head to the polls when the Local Government Elections take place on 4 November 2026.
Candidates needing assistance can visit www.elections.org.za or contact the IEC via [email protected] or 0800 11 8000.
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