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ANC Preps for 2026 Polls as Communist Ally SACP Plans to Go Solo

The African National Congress has initiated its preparations for the 2026 local government elections, including a vetting process for mayoral and council candidates. This comes as its long-time coalition partner, the South African Communist Party, has decided to contest the elections independently, a move with significant political implications. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula stated that members with dual membership must declare which party they will represent, banning dual candidacy. Meanwhile, the electoral commission notes a large increase in registered political parties and confirms physical ballots will be used for the upcoming polls.

Key Points: ANC Begins 2026 Election Prep Amid SACP Split Move

  • ANC begins candidate selection for 2026 polls
  • SACP to contest elections independently
  • Dual members must choose a party to represent
  • IEC reports surge in new registered political parties
  • Physical ballots to remain amid e-voting discussions
2 min read

South Africa's ANC begins poll preparations amid SACP split move

South Africa's ANC starts selecting candidates for 2026 local elections as ally SACP decides to contest independently, reshaping the political landscape.

"We have started preparing, we have started the selection of mayors and councillors. We want to choose the best candidates. - Fikile Mbalula"

Johannesburg, April 20

South Africa's ruling African National Congress has begun preparations for the 2026 local government elections, even as its long-time ally, the South African Communist Party, has decided to contest the polls independently.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula made the remarks on Monday in Johannesburg while briefing the media on the party's local government action plan and broader electoral strategy going forward.

He said the SACP had taken a decision to contest the elections without its coalition partners, a move that could have significant political implications, reported Xinhua.

"We have started preparing, we have started the selection of mayors and councillors. We want to choose the best candidates," Mbalula said, adding that candidates would be assessed through a detailed process of vetting and interviews conducted by the party's top leadership.

Mbalula said he would, next week, write to members who hold dual membership in both the ANC and the SACP, giving them 10 days to indicate clearly under which party they intend to stand in the elections.

"The SACP is not expelled from the ANC, dual membership will remain, but there will be no dual contesting of elections. No members will contest for both the ANC and the SACP," he said.

Mbalula further said that the ANC will officially launch its local government election campaign in July 2026, marking the formal start of its outreach efforts.

In August 2025, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that South Africa's local government elections will be held between November 2, 2026, and the end of January 2027.

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said that 34 new political parties have been registered since the 2024 general election, including 13 since July, bringing the total number of registered parties to 472.

Of these, 287 are registered nationally, while 185 are registered at provincial, district, or municipal levels, he said in August 2025.

He also urged citizens to participate in ongoing public discussions on the feasibility and future of electronic voting, while stressing that physical ballot papers will continue to be used in the upcoming municipal elections.

He added that this is due to the absence of a national policy and a clear legal framework for the implementation of e-voting in the country at present.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
472 registered parties! 🤯 That's a lot of choice for voters, but also a recipe for a fragmented mandate. In India we've seen how too many parties can sometimes make governance difficult. The ANC vetting candidates properly is a good step though.
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Aman W
The dual membership issue is tricky. You can't serve two masters at election time. Mbalula's 10-day ultimatum is practical. In our panchayat elections, similar clarity is needed to avoid confusion. Hope South Africa has a peaceful and fair election process.
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Sarah B
As an expat following this, the delay in e-voting is concerning. India has made great strides with EVMs (despite some criticism). A clear legal framework is essential, but they need to modernize. Physical ballots for such a large number of parties seems cumbersome.
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Vikram M
The ANC preparing 2 years in advance shows they're taking it seriously. Local government elections are about water, roads, and sanitation – the real issues that affect daily life. Hope the focus remains on development and not just political maneuvering.
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Karthik V
With respect, I think the article could have provided more historical context on the ANC-SACP alliance. How long have they been together? What caused the split? As an observer from India, understanding the 'why' behind the split would be more insightful.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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