The Electoral Commission (IEC) is gearing up for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) with the Commission having begun consultations with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the law provides that the term of a municipal council is five years and that elections must be held no later than 90 days following the end of the term.

The current municipal councils were elected on November 1, 2021.

“This means that the current term will end on November 2, 2026. Therefore, the general elections of municipal councils fall due between November 2, 2026 and the end of January 2027. The authority to set a date and call an election lies with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs following consultation with the Commission.

“Consultations between the Minister and the Commission have commenced, but are yet to be concluded,” he said.