Johannesburg – The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has rejected the African National Congress’ (ANC) claim that technical problems with its online candidate nomination system contributed to the party missing the deadline to submit some candidate lists for the November 4 local government elections.
The dispute follows the ANC’s admission that a small number of its candidate entries had not been completed by the 5pm deadline on Friday, 28 August.
The ANC says they have submitted the “overwhelming majority of candidates”.
Means they havent submitted all of them.
They say the IEC system had technical glitches in submission and that some submissions are being finalized.The IEC has denied there being any technical glitches. pic.twitter.com/vgvEkf8B5Q
— Jordan Griffiths (@JordiGriff) September 1, 2026
According to Sowetan, the IEC said its candidate-capture system remained available throughout the nomination period and that it would not give parties additional time to complete outstanding submissions.
“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.
It added that the “Online Candidate Nomination System remained available to users throughout the nomination process, including the cut-off date”.
The ANC, however, has maintained that technical difficulties affected some of its submissions. ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party had successfully lodged the “overwhelming majority” of its candidates but experienced problems on the final day.
“On the day of lodgement, the commission’s candidate-capture system experienced technical issues that affected a number of contesting parties,” Bhengu said, according to IOL.
Controversy
“As a result, a small number of the movement’s entries are being finalised together with the Commission,” she said, describing the matter as “a technical and administrative matter”.
The controversy is particularly significant in the Eastern Cape, where reports emerged that the ANC may have failed to register some ward and proportional representation candidates in several municipalities.
Daily Dispatch reported claims that the party’s lists for Ngquza Hill and Port St Johns, as well as PR lists for Walter Sisulu and Sunday’s River, were affected.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula had previously rejected suggestions that the party missed the deadline, saying: “No, it’s not true. We submitted all our candidates and paid in advance.”
Outstanding candidate submissions
The IEC said candidate nominations had been open since 21 June, giving parties additional time to capture their information before the official nomination period.
The commission’s stance could leave the ANC unable to supplement or amend outstanding candidate submissions in affected municipalities, potentially complicating its preparations for the local government elections.
The ANC has nevertheless reiterated its “full confidence in the Electoral Commission and in the integrity of the electoral process”, saying it expects the outstanding matters to be resolved through established processes.
The dispute comes as parties prepare for what is expected to be a closely contested local government election on 4 November, with candidate lists now a critical part of the campaign preparations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
