IEC Registers 620 Political Parties Ahead Of Local Government Elections
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has recorded a sharp increase in the number of registered political parties ahead of South Africa’s upcoming local government elections, with the total rising from 508 to 620.
The figures were announced by IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo during a media briefing in Pretoria, where the commission outlined its preparations for the final voter registration weekend.
Mamabolo said the growth was driven by a significant increase in applications from political organisations hoping to contest the municipal elections.
He noted that the commission’s register now includes 620 political parties, describing the rise as evidence of heightened political activity ahead of the polls.
The final voter registration weekend will take place on 1 and 2 August, with nearly 24 000 voting stations across the country opening from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days.
The registration drive offers eligible South Africans a final opportunity to register to vote or update their registration details before the elections.
According to the IEC, more than 28 million South Africans are currently registered on the national voters’ roll.
The commission has encouraged first time voters, as well as those who have recently changed their residential address, to use the registration weekend to ensure their details are correct.
The voter registration campaign forms part of the IEC’s final preparations for the 4 November local government elections, which are expected to be among the country’s most competitive municipal polls due to the growing number of political parties expected to contest.