By Charmaine Ndlela
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says it will not campaign around mayoral candidates ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, opting instead for a ward-based electoral strategy.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday following the party’s voter registration launch and Central Command Team (CCT) meeting, EFF leader Julius Malema said the party would not centre its campaign on personalities.
Malema said all prospective leaders must first contest as ward councillors before being considered for higher office.
“Service delivery and ideas must determine who we vote for, not personality contests and cheap gimmicks,” he said.
Under the new approach, the party will introduce a proportional representation (PR) “placeholder” system, allowing strong ward performers, including those who narrowly lose, to be elevated to PR positions based on electoral performance.
Malema said the system aims to curb factionalism and reward grassroots work.
“People have been becoming PR councillors through factionalism. They are not even known in the wards. Meanwhile, those who worked hard on the ground and lost by a few votes are excluded,” he said.
He added that mayoral hopefuls must first prove themselves at ward level.
“If you want to be a mayor in the EFF, go and become a ward candidate. A mayor will come from among ward candidates; those who have demonstrated leadership, discipline and community involvement,” said Malema.
The party has also set a 1 May deadline for prospective candidates.
Those joining after this date will not be eligible to stand in the upcoming elections.
“It will be clear you are joining to become a candidate. After 1 May, the candidate process is closed,” he said.
As part of the selection process, successful ward candidates will undergo community scrutiny, with public meetings allowing residents to raise objections before final lists are confirmed.
Malema said credible concerns could lead to candidates being reconsidered, reinforcing accountability and local legitimacy.
“It is for this reason that the EFF’s election campaign prioritises voter registration, building strong organisational structures and addressing community challenges first, and naming mayoral candidates second,” he said.
He reiterated that only ward candidates would be eligible for mayoral selection.
“You can’t be a mayor if you are not a ward candidate,” he said.
Malema added that councillors would be introduced to communities after election, with residents given an opportunity to comment on their suitability.
The party also announced that the CCT has been reconfigured into a Central Elections Task Force (CETF), convened by the party president and commander-in-chief and coordinated by the secretary-general.
The CETF will oversee and coordinate all election-related work ahead of and during the 2026 local government elections.
INSIDE POLITICS