The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is enhancing its processes to better the voting experience for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Although 2025 was not an election year, the commission concentrated on legislative reforms and preparations amid expectations of a highly contested poll. Electronic voting has been ruled out for now, with further consultations ongoing.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa is actively refining its operational tools to ensure a smoother voting process ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. In 2025, a non-election year, the IEC directed its efforts toward legislative reforms and foundational preparations, anticipating a fiercely competitive electoral landscape.
Earlier in the year, the commission announced that electronic voting would not feature in the 2026 elections. This decision stems from the need for additional public consultation to address concerns and refine the approach.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo outlined the ongoing work, stating, “We are in the process of consolidating that public feedback into a draft and that draft will be integrated into the policy paper and we believe that by March next year that process will be concluded and we should then be in a position to hand over a draft policy paper to the Minister of Home Affairs, who will then be in a position to take it through to cabinet and eventually to parliament.”
This timeline indicates a structured path forward, aiming to integrate public input into formal policy by early 2026. The IEC's focus on these improvements underscores its commitment to maintaining electoral integrity and accessibility for voters in the upcoming local polls.
