A total of 136 790 candidates will contest 10 526 seats in the 2026 Local Government Elections on November 4, despite more than 5 000 disqualifications.  

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), this is an increase from the 95 427 certified candidates who contested 10 478 seats in the 2021 local government elections. 

This year’s candidates will contest seats across the eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 205 local municipalities nationwide.  

Out of the 136 790 candidates, 98 219 were nominated by political parties to represent wards and 38 571 represent parties on proportional representation (PR) lists. A total of 621 candidates are independent ward contestants.  

The IEC said it received 84% of submissions via its online candidate nomination portal, while 16% were lodged at nationwide.  

Candidate demographics and gender breakdown 

The candidates represent a broad age spectrum: 

• 31% fall in the 40–49 age range 

• 24.3% fall in the 50–59 age range 

• 23.8% fall in the 30–39 age range 

• Youth aged between 18 and 39 account for 32% 

In gender representation, men constitute the majority at 85 263 (62%), while women account for 51 527 (38%).  

Among the PR candidates, women represent 44% and men 56%. In ward contests, men account for 65% of candidates and women 35%. 

Contestation across municipalities 

In the metros, 43 098 candidates will contest council seats, 6 443 will contest district municipal council seats and 87 249 candidates will contest seats in local municipalities. 

Municipalities with the highest number of PR parties 

• City of Johannesburg: 75 parties  

• City of Tshwane: 70 parties 

• City of eThekwini: 69 parties  

• City of Ekurhuleni: 67 parties  

• City of Cape Town: 55 parties 

• Emfuleni Local Municipality: 42 parties 

• Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality: 37 parties 

• Polokwane Local Municipality: 36 parties 

• Rustenburg Local Municipality: 36 parties 

• Capricorn District Municipality: 36 parties 

Disqualification of candidates 

Following statutory reviews – including confirmation of paid deposits and proper nomination – 5 096 candidates were disqualified.  

The IEC will publish the final candidate and party lists later today (September 16). 

This milestone provides political parties, independent candidates and the public with certainty regarding ballot paper placement for the 2026 Local Government Elections.  
 
The final list enables the IEC to commence ballot paper printing following the ballot paper draw at the signing of the Code of Conduct next Wednesday (September 23). 

Operational readiness and voter verification 

In preparation for the election, 23 696 presiding officers and 29 964 deputy presiding officers are being recruited. 

The commission has secured 23 696 voting stations countrywide, comprising 22 668 permanent, 995 temporary and 33 mobile voting stations. 

Voters can confirm their registration details and voting station information through: 

• Sequence number: Helps voters find their names on the voters’ roll. 

• SMS: Send your ID number to 32810 to confirm your registration, voting station and sequence number. 

• Contact centre: Call 0800 11 8000 for your voting station details and sequence number in your preferred language. 

• WhatsApp: Send a message to 060 088 0000 and select ‘Am I registered?’. 

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