142,072 candidates fighting for 10,526 council seats in November
PRETORIA — South Africa is four weeks away from the 2026 Local Government Elections, with 78 million ballot papers being printed for 142,072 candidates competing for 10,526 council seats across the country on 4 November.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government Elections says preparations remain on track following its latest assessment of election security, voting technology, ballot production, special votes and possible weather disruptions.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa is preparing its systems for a possible 100% voter turnout and has approximately 68,000 Voter Management Devices ready for deployment at voting stations. All required election materials except ballot papers are already available, while local storage facilities have been prepared and screened by security structures.
The final candidate list includes 636 independent candidates, 97,815 ward candidates and 38,679 proportional representation candidates. Candidates aged between 36 and 55 account for 58% of those standing, while women make up 38%. The youngest approved candidate is 18 and the oldest is 90.
One remaining complication is a series of court cases involving the IEC. The committee said five matters are before the Electoral Court, two before the Constitutional Court and one before the Gauteng High Court. All eight unresolved cases have implications for finalising ballot papers in affected areas, although the IEC says printing remains on course.
South Africans who qualify for special votes have until 5pm on 12 October to apply. Approved voters will be able to cast special votes at voting stations or, where applicable, at their homes or places of care on 2 and 3 November.
Election planners are also preparing for possible disruption from a developing El Niño weather pattern. The South African Weather Service has warned of an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across significant parts of southern Africa during the summer season.
The National Disaster Management Centre is working with the IEC, municipalities and emergency services to incorporate weather warnings into election planning. Potential risks include heatwaves, water shortages, veld fires and other conditions that could affect voters, voting stations or election logistics. More precise forecasts for election day will become available closer to 4 November.
Security preparations are being coordinated through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, while Home Affairs plans to align operating hours with the IEC to help voters obtain the identification documents required to vote. Seventy-two organisations have also applied to observe the elections.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa’s committee said government departments and election stakeholders still need to resolve outstanding matters and intensify voter education during the remaining four weeks.
The 4 November vote will determine representation in South Africa’s municipal councils for the next local government term.
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