Voters’ roll to close at midnight as IEC opens nominations for municipal elections
The South African Electoral Commission (IEC) has closed the voters' roll and opened candidate nominations for the upcoming municipal elections scheduled for November 4, 2026. This marks the formal start of the electoral process for political parties and independent candidates.
Why it matters
The municipal elections are a critical democratic process for local governance in South Africa, and the timeline provides necessary legal certainty for all participants.
The South African voters’ roll will officially close at midnight on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has opened candidate nominations for political parties and independent candidates intending to contest the upcoming municipal elections.
Parties and independents have until 17:00 on 28 August to submit their candidate lists, after which the online nominations portal will automatically close.
These are some key milestones that came into effect after Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa proclaimed the election date through publication in the Government Gazette on Friday.
The IEC also laid out its timetable for the 4 November election.
READ | IEC forges ahead with election prep despite pending court judgment
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya presented the election timetable at a press briefing at Election House on Friday.
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