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142,000 candidates battle for 10,500 council seats in 2026 local elections

By Zuko Komisa

Image | @IECSouthAfrica//X
  • A record 142,072 candidates have been nominated to contest 10,526 council seats in South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections, marking a 43% increase in participation compared to 2021.
  • The candidate pool is dominated by individuals aged 36 to 55 (58%) and remains male-heavy, with men accounting for nearly two-thirds of all nominations across ward and proportional representation (PR) lists.
  • The Electoral Commission (IEC) is currently auditing all submissions for legal compliance before publishing the final, verified candidate list on 16 September 2026.

South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) has received a record-breaking 142,072 candidate nominations for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections, representing a dramatic 43% surge in participation compared to the 99,000 candidates who ran in 2021.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya confirmed that the nominations—contesting 10,526 council seats nationwide—are currently undergoing strict legal compliance checks. Officials are verifying acceptance forms, financial deposits, and voter support lists for independent candidates, with the final official candidate lists set for publication on 16 September 2026.

Demographic data reveals that 58% of contestants are aged between 36 and 55, while male candidates dominate the field at 62% overall. Representation remains skewed in ward contests, where men account for 65% of nominees compared to 35% women, though female representation improves to 44% on PR lists. The City of Johannesburg drew the highest party competition, with 80 political parties contesting PR seats.

The IEC confirmed that 2,274 candidate entries left unsubmitted on the online portal at the 28 August deadline will be excluded from the ballot. Emphasising the democratic milestone, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya stated:

“The number of nominations received for the 2026 elections marks a substantial increase from the 2021 Local Government Elections… Lastly, the Commission commends political parties and independent candidates offering themselves as candidates in the currently evolving electoral process. As the Commission works to finalise the lists of candidates, those nominated are reminded of their legal obligation to uphold the Electoral Code of Conduct.”

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