WATCH | Record 142,072 candidates set to contest 2026 Local Government Elections

Johannesburg – South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections are shaping up to be among the most hotly contested municipal polls, with a record 142,072 candidates nominated for just 10,526 council seats, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The figure represents a 43% increase from the approximately 99,000 candidates who contested the 2021 local government elections. The IEC described the surge as “a significant expansion of political competition at local level”.

The figures were confirmed by the IEC after the candidate nomination period closed at 5pm on 28 August.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the level of participation was significant, with the commission now moving to verify whether all nominees meet the legal requirements.

[WATCH] The Electoral Commission breaks down the numbers of candidate nominations for the upcoming local government elections. It states that at least 142 072 candidates have filed, representing a 43% increase from the previous elections. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/DXN6Ei2LjJ

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 2, 2026

“The immediate task of the Electoral Commission is now to review the submissions for compliance with the legislative requirements governing candidate nominations,” Moepya said.

Of the nominations received, 40,241 candidates were nominated by political parties for proportional representation seats, while 100,856 were nominated for ward seats. A further 975 independent candidates were nominated to contest ward seats.

The IEC said the candidate profile is dominated by people aged between 36 and 55, who account for 58% of all nominees. The largest age group is those between 41 and 45, making up 16%.

#ICYMI: A total of 547 of the 732 registered political parties are contesting the local government elections (LGE). This is up from 325 parties that contested the polls in 2021. https://t.co/1HQ7dzA8sc pic.twitter.com/K46fKWfUeA

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 3, 2026

However, gender representation remains uneven. Men account for nearly two-thirds of nominations, with women representing about 38% overall. Men make up 56% of candidates on PR lists, compared with 44% women, while men account for 65% of ward candidates against 35% women.

Political party participation is also high. The IEC said 546 of South Africa’s 732 registered political parties are set to contest the elections.

The City of Johannesburg has the highest number of parties contesting PR seats at 80, followed by Tshwane with 72, eThekwini with 70, Ekurhuleni with 69 and Cape Town with 55.

The increase in political competition comes as South Africa prepares to vote on 4 November 2026.