IEC says no electronic voting in 2026 local polls
With South Africa’s seventh democratic local government elections fast approaching, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says preparations are well underway to ensure credible, free and fair polls.
The elections are expected to take place between November 2026 and no later than January 2027.
Briefing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said the commission has achieved key milestones in its roadmap toward the elections, including voter registration, legislative updates, and political party compliance.
The IEC reported that more than 300,000 South Africans have registered as first-time voters between January and September this year, while 60,000 updated their registration details. Most of the new registrations were processed in September, reflecting strong interest ahead of the municipal polls.
Sheburi said the commission remains encouraged by the growing use of its digital registration platforms.
"This is a reflection that more and more South Africans, especially young first-time voters, are embracing digital innovations and the Electoral Commission's ongoing drive to make registration simpler, smarter, and accessible."
Despite this progress, the IEC is urging millions of eligible citizens who have not yet registered to do so.
Sheburi reiterated that voters must register where they live and vote where they are registered, especially if they’ve changed addresses.
In its annual performance review, the IEC said it had achieved 92% of its key performance targets during the 2024–2025 financial year, continuing a record of clean audits and operational excellence.
On political funding, the commission noted a 90% compliance rate among represented political parties.
However, two parties the National Coloured Congress and Build One South Africa have been directed to submit outstanding audited financial statements.
Turning to the possibility of electronic voting, Sheburi confirmed that the system will not be introduced for the 2026 elections.
Following nationwide consultations, the IEC received over 200 submissions from citizens and stakeholders. Most participants supported a gradual, hybrid model combining digital and paper-based methods.
"The key highlights of submissions are that e-voting must be preceded by a cautious, phased, and pilot-driven approach before we adopt electronic voting,” Sheburi said.
"Secondly, in order to engender trust, the migration to e-voting must follow a hybrid approach — where we retain the paper ballot alongside the introduction of technology in elections."
Sheburi said the IEC would consolidate the submissions into a final policy paper to be submitted to Parliament later this year.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Demarcation Board is finalising new ward boundaries, expected to be handed over to the IEC in December.
This will allow alignment of voting districts in preparation for the polls.
The commission also reported that 62 new political parties have been registered since the 2024 national elections, bringing the total number of parties eligible to contest various levels of government to over 500.
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