By Thapelo Molefe
The African National Congress (ANC) has failed to submit some of its candidates for the 2026 Local Government Elections before the deadline, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) making it clear that it will not allow the party, or any other contestant, to add names after the cut-off.
The ANC said on Monday that it had lodged the “overwhelming majority” of its candidates by the 17:00 deadline on 28 August, but claimed technical problems with the IEC’s candidate-capture system had affected a number of its remaining entries.
The party said the outstanding names were being finalised with the commission, saying the matter was a “technical and administrative” issue.
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But the IEC has rejected any suggestion that parties will be given an additional opportunity to capture candidates after the deadline.
“The Commission wishes to clarify that it has not allowed any party, nor does it intend to allow any party or independent candidate an additional capturing opportunity beyond the close of candidate nomination on Friday, 28 August 2026 at 17h00,” the IEC said.
The commission said its online candidate nomination system remained available to users throughout the nomination process, including on the final day.
It also stressed that parties had been given additional time to complete their submissions, with the system opened on 21 June, weeks before the official nomination period began on 7 August.
The IEC said the early opening of the system was intended to ensure “sufficient and uninterrupted use” ahead of the deadline.
The ANC said it would not further discuss the matter in the media while the IEC was dealing with the issue.
The commission said issues relating to the intricacies of the candidate nomination process would be dealt with through the National Political Liaison Committee, which comprises parties represented in the National Assembly.
The dispute comes as political parties prepare for the 4 November local government elections.
The IEC is expected to provide a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the candidate nomination process and the next milestones in the elections on Wednesday.
