As South Africa gears up for the 2026 local government elections, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed that the total number of registered political parties now stands at 508.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo revealed that 20 new parties were registered between October 2025 and February 2026, bringing the national total to 299, with the remaining 209 registered at provincial, district, or metropolitan levels.
Mamabolo urged parties to ensure their contact information is up to date, emphasizing that “accurate and current contact details are essential for the smooth functioning of the electoral process.”
In preparation for the elections, the IEC held a series of nationwide workshops from November to December 2025, targeting both registered and unregistered parties, as well as independent candidates. These sessions covered registration requirements, candidate nominations, seat allocations, and political funding. Additional workshops are scheduled for May and June 2026 to continue preparing stakeholders.
Since November 2025, the IEC has conducted 25 by-elections, replacing 302 councillors to maintain democratic representation. Mamabolo noted that while by-elections must generally be held within 90 days of a vacancy, exceptions exist if a general election is approaching. The cut-off date for calling by-elections ahead of the 2026 local elections is 30 April 2026.
Mamabolo also addressed the Multi-Party Democracy Fund, which aims to support a vibrant political landscape. Despite appeals to individuals and corporations, no contributions were made in the second consecutive quarter. He explained this likely reflects donor preferences, economic conditions, and electoral timing rather than flaws in the Fund itself.
On the transparency front, South Africa continues to lead Africa in digital political finance disclosure. The 2025 report by Transparency International ranked the country as the most advanced on the continent, alongside Morocco, for publishing political finance information online.
“The report places South Africa among a small group of countries globally where political finance data is accessible and downloadable, reflecting a high level of transparency,” Mamabolo said.
With the clock ticking towards the 2026 local elections, the IEC’s emphasis remains on preparing stakeholders, ensuring transparency, and maintaining efficient electoral processes across the country.