Over 100 000 candidates are expected to contest more than 10 000 seats for South Africa’s (SA) 2026 local government elections.
This is according to the Electoral Commission’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.
Mamabolo says the nature of SA’s local government sphere is highly contested.
He further outlined several interventions the commission will introduce, to ensure that the voting process is quicker and more efficient than was experienced at last year’s general polls.
The stakes are expected to be high in the next local government elections, as the number of contestants are anticipated to increase.
Around 100 000 candidates will be contesting for seats in the 205 local municipalities, eight metros and 44 district councils.
The number has increased from the previous 95 000 in 2021.
–SABC–
