POLITICAL parties, candidates and campaign teams are being urged to follow the approved conditions when putting up election and voter-registration posters for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

eThekwini Municipality appealed to all political parties to adhere to the call. The conditions, adopted by Council on July 7, support democratic participation while making sure election advertising is displayed responsibly.

Also read: Survey finds Local Government Elections ‘free and fair’

Rules for putting up posters

Political parties and candidates must meet the following requirements:

Apply and pay the refundable deposit

Applications must be submitted to the Municipality’s General Advertising Branch for processing and a compliance check. Each application must include a refundable deposit of R200 per political party or candidate, per ward where posters will be displayed.

Keep within the poster limits

No more than 800 posters are allowed per political party or candidate, per ward. Only standard posters or pole banners may be used.

Use council electricity light poles only

Election and registration posters may only be attached to Council electricity light poles. Each political party or candidate may put up no more than two posters per pole, placed back-to-back.

Maintain the required height

The bottom edge of each poster must be at least 2.5m above ground level.

Keep posters off prohibited structures

Posters may not be attached to traffic signs, traffic lights, directional signs, warning signs or any other traffic control infrastructure. They are also prohibited on bridges, walls, trees, substations, municipal buildings and any other unauthorised structures.

Respect restricted roads and areas

Posters are prohibited on the N2, N3 and Western Freeway, within the ICC precinct, and in beachfront areas, including Upper Marine Parade, Lower Marine Parade and Snell Parade. Council has permitted election-related advertising along Ruth First Highway (M4 Northern Freeway), Inkosi Albert Luthuli Freeway (M4 Southern Freeway) and Higginson Highway, subject to the approved conditions.

Also read: Smaller parties rise in elections

Observe the special conditions for beach advertising and wall murals

Advertising in designated beach areas is limited to specifically permitted flying banners, which may only be displayed during the three weeks before election day. This does not allow election posters along the beachfront. Election-related wall murals require prior approval and must comply with applicable municipal requirements.

Remove posters on time

Registration posters must be removed within 14 days after the registration event or election-related activity. Election posters and all other election-related advertising must be removed within 30 days after election day.

Act promptly on non-compliance notices

Political parties or candidates notified of non-compliant posters must remove them within two days of the notice. If they fail to do so, the municipality may remove the material and recover removal, administrative and penalty costs. Material left up beyond the prescribed removal period will also be removed by the municipality at the owner’s cost.

Adhere to regulations

eThekwini Municipality said in a statement, “The limited relaxation of outdoor advertising restrictions applies only to election, voter-registration and election-related event or rally advertising for the 2026 Local Government Elections. It does not authorise third-party commercial advertising in any area covered by the election-related relaxation.”

The municipality called on all political parties and candidates to brief their campaign teams and service providers on these requirements, and to take responsibility for both the lawful display and timely removal of their advertising material.

For applications or clarification on the approved conditions, political parties and candidates should contact the municipality’s General Advertising Branch:
thabane.nawe@durban.gov.za
nolitha.chiliza@durban.gov.za

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.