THE eThekwini Municipality Council has approved conditions regulating the display of election and campaign event posters across the city ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The City said in a statement that measures are intended to create a fair and orderly campaign environment while ensuring public spaces are managed responsibly and municipal regulations are upheld.

Council has also approved a limited waiver of certain provisions contained in the eThekwini Municipality Outdoor Advertising Bylaw, 2018. The waiver applies only to the 2026 local government elections.

Under the approved conditions, the City said each political party or independent candidate will be allowed to display a maximum of 800 standard A1-sized posters in each ward.

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The municipality said election posters may only be erected on municipal electricity light poles. Campaign advertising will also be permitted along designated routes, including the Ruth First Highway (M4 Northern Freeway), Inkosi Albert Luthuli Freeway (M4 Southern Freeway) and Higginson Highway.

Political parties will also be allowed to use flying banners in designated beach areas, but only during the three weeks leading up to election day.

Election-related wall murals will be permitted, provided they meet municipal requirements and receive prior approval.

Before displaying any election advertising, the municipality reported that political parties and candidates must submit applications to the municipality’s General Advertising Branch for assessment and compliance approval.

“Applicants will also be required to pay a refundable deposit of R200 per political party or candidate for every ward where posters will be displayed.”

The municipality warned that all election-related posters, banners and other campaign advertising must be removed within 30 days after the election.

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“Failure to remove the material within the prescribed period will result in the municipality removing the advertising and recovering the associated costs from the responsible political party or candidate.”

The municipality added that the temporary waiver is intended to strike a balance between allowing political parties to campaign effectively ahead of the elections while protecting public infrastructure and ensuring compliance with municipal regulations.

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