IEC rules out extra time for parties after candidate nomination deadline

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has clarified that political parties and independent candidates will not be given additional time to capture or submit candidates for the 2026 Local Government Elections after the nomination deadline.

The clarification follows a statement by the African National Congress (ANC) on 31 August, in which the party said technical problems with the IEC’s candidate-capture system had affected a small number of its submissions.

The IEC said the candidate nomination process closed at 17h00 on Friday, 28 August 2026, and that it had neither granted nor intended to grant any party or independent candidate an additional opportunity to capture candidates after the deadline.

“All matters pertaining to the intricacies of the candidate nomination process would be discussed in the National Political Liaison Committee constituted by all parties that are represented in the National Assembly,” the Commission said.

The IEC also rejected suggestions that its online candidate nomination system was unavailable during the nomination process.

According to the Commission, the Online Candidate Nomination System remained available throughout the nomination period, including on the cut-off date.

Although the official candidate nomination period began on 7 August 2026, the IEC said it opened the online system earlier, on 21 June 2026, to give contestants sufficient time and uninterrupted access ahead of the deadline.

The ANC had said that technical issues on the day of lodgement affected some of its entries, with the party indicating that a small number of outstanding submissions were being finalised with the Commission.

The IEC is expected to provide a comprehensive briefing on the outcome of the candidate nomination process and the next milestones for the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 2 September, at Election House in Centurion.

The Commission said it remained committed to conducting a transparent, impartial and credible electoral process and would continue communicating official election information through its established channels.