The African National Congress (ANC) is facing a significant setback in the upcoming local government elections due to its failure to finalise 181 candidate submissions in six municipalities. According to elections analyst Wayne Sussman, this oversight could result in the party losing around 100 council seats. Sussman's projection suggests that the ANC could have secured roughly 100 to 110 ward and proportional-representation seats if the submissions had been completed on time.
The affected municipalities include Port St Johns, Ngquza Hill, Walter Sisulu, and Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape, uMshwathi in KwaZulu-Natal, and Mangaung in the Free State. The dispute revolves around candidate details that were captured on the Electoral Commission's online system but not completed through the final submission step by the 28 August deadline. This development has raised concerns about the ANC's prospects in these areas, particularly in the OR Tambo district, rural Eastern Cape councils, and Mangaung.
Sussman cited Mangaung mayor Gregory Nthlatsi as one politician who was on a proportional-representation list that was not submitted. The ANC has challenged the Electoral Commission's decision, arguing that technical problems prevented the final step after candidate information had been uploaded. However, the IEC has maintained that parties were trained to use the final-submission function, leaving the ANC to contest the decision.
The estimate of seats at risk is an analyst's projection, not an official election result. Actual representation will depend on votes cast, valid candidate lists, and the allocation formula applied after the election. The ANC's failure to complete the candidate submissions has created uncertainty and may impact the party's overall performance in the local government elections.
The local government elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November 2026. The ANC's candidate-list failure has provided an opportunity for other parties to gain ground. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the MK Party, among others, have been actively campaigning and may benefit from the ANC's setback.
The Electoral Commission has faced criticism for its handling of the candidate submissions process. The ANC's challenge to the commission's decision highlights the complexities and technicalities involved in the electoral process. The outcome of the dispute may have implications for the integrity and credibility of the electoral system.
The ANC's loss of around 100 council seats could have significant implications for the party's influence and representation in local government. The party has been working to regain ground in the wake of previous electoral setbacks, and this development may hinder its efforts. The final outcome will depend on the voters' decisions on 4 November 2026.
Key points
- ANC's failure to finalise 181 candidate submissions may result in loss of around 100 council seats.
- Affected municipalities include Port St Johns, Ngquza Hill, and Mangaung.
- The ANC has challenged the Electoral Commission's decision, citing technical problems.
