The Electoral Commission (IEC) has indicated that its preparations for the next local government elections are proceeding well. The Commission said that municipal elections will take place on a date to be determined between November 2026 and January 2027.

The Municipal Demarcation Board will finalise ward boundaries by October 2025, allowing the IEC to adjust voting districts and roll out new registration drives.

Whilst Local Government Elections have not previously attracted the attention of national polls, that is set to change given that the African National Congress (ANC) faces a serious threat to its political dominance. Should the party suffer serious losses in the country’s eight major metros analysts believe that the consequences could determine its future political fortunes.