PRETORIA, Sunday 25 October 2026 — The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has published a correction to the municipal electoral regulations setting out how interested parties may submit objections concerning voting and counting procedures that could materially affect the final results of the 4 November local government elections.
The correction was published in Government Gazette No. 55621 on Friday, 23 October.
It replaces the wording of an item in the third amendment to the Municipal Electoral Regulations, originally published on 14 October.
The corrected provision identifies a dedicated email address and deadline for objections lodged under section 65 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act.
IEC confirms written objection procedure
The corrected regulation introduces wording under Regulation 28F dealing with objections material to the determination of final election results.
It provides that interested parties may submit written objections concerning voting and counting proceedings.
The objections must relate to matters capable of materially affecting the election outcome.
The notice identifies a dedicated email address for submissions.
It also specifies that objections must reach the IEC by 17:00 on the second day after voting day.
For the 4 November election, that deadline falls on Friday, 6 November 2026.
Procedure concerns election-result objections
The provision relates specifically to objections lodged under section 65 of the Municipal Electoral Act.
It does not establish a general procedure for every complaint involving political parties, candidates or election campaigning.
The regulation concerns proceedings relating to voting and the counting of votes.
Its purpose is to provide a formal channel for objections that could affect the determination of final results.
Interested parties must therefore distinguish these objections from other electoral complaints governed by different procedures.
The correction notice does not establish that any particular objection has been lodged or that the IEC has identified irregularities in the upcoming election.
Correction follows earlier regulatory amendment
The IEC published the original third amendment to the Municipal Electoral Regulations on 14 October.
The latest notice replaces item 6 of that amendment.
The commission issued the correction under section 89 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act.
The notice does not provide an explanation of the drafting issue that required correction.
It also does not establish that the correction was prompted by an election dispute or court ruling.
The gazetted wording is the authoritative published text for the corrected provision.
Election preparations continue
The regulatory clarification comes as the IEC completes preparations for the municipal elections.
The commission is finalising ballot printing and logistical arrangements following the Constitutional Court’s ruling concerning previously excluded candidate nominations.
The IEC has indicated that it is working to ensure the required ballot papers are available before special voting begins.
Voting is scheduled for 4 November, with special voting taking place beforehand.
The commission will then undertake counting, verification and results processes in accordance with electoral legislation.
The corrected objection procedure forms part of the legal framework governing those processes.
Objection deadline approaches
The correction provides a specific submission channel for objections capable of affecting final election results.
Interested parties seeking to use the procedure must comply with the applicable legal requirements and deadline.
The IEC has not announced any extension to the deadline contained in the corrected regulation.
The significance of the provision will become clearer during the counting and results period, particularly if objections arise in closely contested municipalities.
