The Electoral Commission has announced that no political party or independent candidate will receive an extension to submit their nominations following the closure of the nomination process for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
According to the IEC, the candidate nomination period officially closed on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 17:00. The Commission has confirmed that it will not permit any additional time for parties or independent candidates to submit their nominations.
This clarification comes in response to a statement from the African National Congress on August 31, 2026, regarding its nominated candidates for the forthcoming local government elections.
The Commission stated that any issues related to the candidate nomination process will be addressed within the National Political Liaison Committee, which includes representatives from all parties in the National Assembly.
Additionally, the IEC has refuted concerns regarding access to its Online Candidate Nomination System, asserting that the system was fully accessible to users throughout the nomination period, including on the final day.
While the official nomination window commenced on August 7, 2026, following Proclamation Day, the Commission had made the online nomination system available as early as June 21, 2026, to allow candidates ample time to submit their nominations ahead of the deadline.
A detailed briefing on the outcome of the candidate nomination process and the forthcoming milestones for the 2026 Local Government Elections will be provided by the Commission.
This briefing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Election House, Riverside Office Park in Centurion.
The IEC affirms its commitment to ensuring a transparent, impartial, and credible electoral process and will continue to disseminate official information through its standard communication channels.
