2026 Local Elections Party Manifesto SearchManifesto Search

The 2026 local elections in numbers

Everyone on the ballot on Wednesday 4 November 2026, counted from the IEC’s certified candidate list of 16 September 2026. These are plain counts: nothing here ranks or rates any party.

98 181ward candidates
38 541people on party lists for councils
518parties standing
621independent ward candidates
4 485wards
213municipalities with wards (8 metros), plus 44 district councils

How crowded are the ward races?

A typical ward has 18 candidates on its ballot. The longest ballot, with 63 candidates, is Ward 10 · Lenasia, Protea South in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The shortest, with 5, is Ward 5 · Vanwyksvlei, Carnarvon in the Kareeberg Local Municipality.

How old are the candidates?

On election day, the typical ward candidate will be 45 years old: half are younger and half are older. 19% will be under 35 years old. The IEC list gives an age for every ward candidate except one.

Number of ward candidates by age in years on election day.

By province

ProvinceMunicipalitiesWardsWard candidatesParties with ward candidates
Eastern Cape3370310 73589
Free State193085 98684
Gauteng952622 884134
KwaZulu-Natal4492119 678108
Limpopo2256812 169122
Mpumalanga174087 09784
North West184027 03080
Northern Cape262332 75554
Western Cape254169 847105

Candidates per party

Every party on a ballot, sorted by its number of ward candidates (at most one per ward), then by the people on its council lists. Someone can be both a ward candidate and on a list, so the total counts places on the ballot, not people. “Municipalities” counts every municipality where the party has a ward candidate or a council list. Ages are its ward candidates’ ages on election day, shown only where it has at least 30 of them. Tap a party to see all its candidates.

PartyWard candidatesOn council listsTotalMunicipalitiesTypical age (years)Under 35 years old
Democratic Alliance4 4854 4488 9332134714%
Economic Freedom Fighters4 4842574 7412134029%
African National Congress4 4204 4168 8362114512%
South African Communist Party4 3972 1446 5412054615%
Afrika Mayibuye Movement4 3592154 5741984127%
Umkhonto Wesizwe Party3 7702083 9781884417%
Freedom Front Plus (Vryheidsfront Plus)3 3891 5874 9761605110%
Patriotic Alliance2 9321 8904 8221684520%
African Transformation Movement2 6174 4587 0751714324%
Pan Africanist Congress of Azania2 6091 6514 2601124722%
ActionSA2 4181082 526784321%
African Christian Democratic Party1 9239412 864985113%
Inkatha Freedom Party1 9211 2633 1841054318%
African People's Convention1 7847342 518504418%
Service Delivery Party1 6191091 728444420%
African Independent Congress1 6133531 966494023%
Labour Party of South Africa1 553451 598454612%
Al Jama-Ah1 5012241 725364618%
Organic Humanity Movement1 3901021 492424821%
Congress of the People1 2301441 37432549%
Show all 518 parties
United Democratic Movement1 023271 050254325%
Azanian People's Organisation9843131 297305111%
Build One South Africa9796761 655234128%
African Economic Freedom83936875264030%
African Heart Congress8342541 088234520%
Truth and Solidarity Movement8196201 439164622%
Africa Restoration Alliance80387890134712%
Economic Emancipation Forum763231994154525%
United Christian Democratic Party739191930304714%
National Freedom Party6824401 122454322%
Active African Christians United Movement682150832164810%
Minority Front6796474384518%
People's Movement for Change6683421 010304426%
Ekhethu Peoples Party66514480994127%
Bolsheviks Party of South Africa6478973613547%
National Coloured Congress643234877244417%
Economic Liberators Forum South Africa60150651174225%
African Congress for Transformation592292884394223%
All Natives of South Africa5525060274328%
United Independent Movement5331855111508%
Rise Mzansi520952974518%
Sizwe Ummah Nation51315767084621%
All Citizens Party48544529324322%
African Movement Congress465130595264127%
GOOD44625471205015%
African Unemployed Congress4452547053931%
United Residents Front429235664154620%
Know Your Power412842053451%
African Renaissance Unity41129440294424%
Cape Independence Party / Kaapse Onafhanklikheids Party4003143122596%
Allied Independents Umbrella39353984447%
United Africans Transformation35985444654916%
African Alliance Congress3545240655315%
Civic Movement for Progressive Citizens35303537463%
Independent Citizens Movement33823403471%
Gods Justice and Development Party33715352114620%
Justice and Employment Party3251433993834%
Arusha Economic Coalition3252935464718%
Active Citizens Coalition323393628486%
Bumbana Mzansi29324317113080%
Move SA280328334027%
Azanian Ground Forces273327644037%
International Revelation Congress266199465174033%
KZN Independence251122637507%
Azania Peaceful Revolution25022522441%
Magoshi Swaranang Movement2441826294620%
Alliance of Citizens for Change236823189418%
National Peoples Ambassadors231141372124417%
African Mantungwa Community220622663911%
Independent Ratepayers Association of SA211122236652%
Moshabi Party2081021844913%
South African People’s Civic Organization197272243403%
National Democratic Convention1941120564321%
Able Leadership1914623754031%
Bophuthatswana Civil Movement1904523594816%
Afro Natives189519434330%
African Restoration Movement18441883427%
Defenders of the People17629205104223%
One Love Alliance1756023555118%
African People's Movement1746423864125%
Next Generation Government170817842899%
Abafuna Ingubo Yeskhethu Party16981775391%
Abantu Bezwelethu Congress Democracy16677243104424%
Gaza Democratic Front1664821493930%
Sakk Military Veterans Party165121773510%
Born to Win1559525064135%
Spectrum National Party146191654511%
Independent Alliance1451215794130%
Socialist Agenda of Dispossessed Africans13751424449%
African People's Socialist Party1365819424226%
People of Joburg13513527014521%
Shosholoza Progressive Party135313816119%
Inkululeko Yabantu Movement1341114524515%
Khoi Aboriginal Party1324017225913%
Poelano Revelation Party1322115324726%
Umphakathi Warona132131451572%
People's Freedom Party12857185114616%
Vuka SA128111391542%
Kingdom Covenant Democratic Party1224716984423%
United Progressive People Alliance1212314464510%
African People First1203915924031%
Cape Muslim Congress118612415422%
Democratic People's Alternative118331511560%
South African Maintenance and Estate Beneficiaries Associati1179120844717%
United Democratic Front Party116251411611%
1860nic Congress112211331561%
A Shall-X Party11241161630%
African Security Congress11281201450%
Democratic Liberal Congress11211131591%
Ethekwini Ratepayers Political Movement112111314529%
Independent People's Party1121012213748%
Indian Congress Party112181301554%
National Dialogue Front112111231643%
Palmridge Community Forum11211131510%
People's First United112411614829%
People's Progressive Party112171291490%
Postola112311431463%
Truly Alliance112111314533%
Umphakathi Kai One Party111121231540%
South African Peoples Movement11031131380%
Amandla Awethu Movement108231315529%
Africa Redemption Democracy10781151590%
Batho Pele Community Service Delivery Tshwane107010714524%
Federal Party SA10711081580%
Progressive Tshwane Alliance-Pta012107251321433%
Republican Conference of Tshwane10731101510%
South African Mass Movement107110814321%
Security Personnel Party of South Africa10581131446%
People's Revolutionary Movement104201241620%
Minorities of South Africa1039219514317%
Movement of Residents Party1003313324527%
Independent Councillors99910874028%
African Royal Rainbow Congress98810694029%
Gap Fixers of South Africa954113674636%
African Content Movement9515024563936%
Us the People9459944127%
African Spear Movement9333126104324%
Purple Party Ikageng93710054524%
Limpopo Residents Association93231163490%
Magaeng883712534614%
National People's Front864913544124%
Empathy in Action855903545%
Ilizwe Nathi847716134517%
African Democratic Change8408413056%
National Community Liberation826114344316%
Jozini Congress8158644120%
Aboriginal Warriors 4 Economic Hope!803111145513%
People's Democratic Movement78311095584%
South African Royal Kingdoms Organization7714522274322%
United Cultural Movement7658134428%
African Liberation Movement75108534129%
Active Citizens of South Africa7347735114%
Vaal Party73118433729%
Christ Kingdom Party7020905516%
African Labour Convention705212224223%
Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa696713674414%
Gazankulu Liberation Congress6810217084610%
Forum for Democrats68259333251%
Alternative African Allegiance685732610%
Believers Voice Party67228925510%
Fezile Dabi Civic Movement6577244118%
Sindawonye Progressive Party646412854620%
Activists Movement of South Africa64157934130%
African Economic Movement6426624127%
Amabomvane Revolutionary Movement6410742493%
Batho Pele Movement64481122468%
African Freedom Party624110344031%
National Restoration Party627692450%
Afrikan Alliance of Social Democrats60167625118%
Democratic Movement601611522%
Eighteen Twelve Movement605411414710%
Mayibuye Civic Movement601611368%
National Alliance6023831530%
People's Power601611415%
Assegaai Independent Movement of South Africa585811634117%
Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party58106825122%
Rustenburg People's Party5615724618%
Land Party5511917474513%
Asihlanganeni Civic Movement55451003499%
Newcastle and District Residents Forum55227734724%
Ximoko Party55359034316%
African Democrats556211725811%
Kopano Movement5535823360%
Movement for Total Liberation5528832429%
All African Alliance Movement5425624828%
Lekwe Bepe Kingdom Party531568124217%
United People53368924336%
Agang South Africa5237892482%
Majuba Progressive Movement516011134318%
African Cultural Identity Movement5125314110%
Iliso Labantu Movement for Social Change50409044238%
Mawusa Movement Party4929785434%
African Independent People's Organisation497563498%
Abantu Integrity Movement48126014619%
National Communist Congress473502490%
On the Move4745124119%
Operation Dudula46206654613%
Women and Youth Organisation4624702447%
Badiredi Ba Setšhaba4518631460%
Unified Civic Organisation454491350%
Limpopo Independent Movement Alliance4495334320%
Rise Up Africa / Tsoga Africa4419632509%
South Africa First4312554545%
Tsogang Civic Movement4344734028%
African Unified Movement435482419%
Progressive Community Movement439521530%
Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners42478934819%
People's Choice4224424219%
Khoisan Revolution4122635517%
Community Freedom Party41387924317%
Independent Party412431440%
Ordinary People Campaign411455132100%
Save South Africa4134414710%
Ditirelo Bathong Party4034324810%
Aboriginal Gorilla Fighters4084816010%
Action Alliance Development Party39428143836%
Sol- Plaatjie Service Delivery Forum39135224510%
Democratic Community Movement396110014223%
Huconomics Justice396451390%
Karoo Democratic Force3836744543%
John Taolo Gaetsewe Re Ikemetse3844233937%
Movement Democratic Congress381391550%
Unemployment Movement SA383411640%
National Service Delivery Forum3744114311%
Phakama Eastern Cape3720571450%
The Winners Movement Party3723913357%
Voice of the Voiceless Civic Organization37326914543%
African Solution36266213536%
Congregational Christian Unity363391540%
Voice for Change3640761446%
All and Citizens3523715211%
Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa3523714417%
Mapsixteen Civic Movement353381503%
Mbombela Yebahlali Residence35256014029%
Namakwa Civic Movement34235755112%
Sebotha Community Party34255922785%
Baagi3433714315%
Rand West Peoples Party34205414815%
Afrika Unite Congress33154883842%
Barberton Community Party33336633827%
Seriti Le Kaelo Independent Party3343734015%
People's Voice Party334372449%
Africa People Coalition Party3384116012%
Community Alliance SA331341536%
Govan Mbeki Municipality Ratepayers Movement33316414115%
Kimberley Action Group3323514524%
The Independents3325581499%
Independent Rural Party3233514044%
Ditshaba Kopano Residents Movement31154643832%
Tau Dia Rora Cultural and Traditional Lekgotla31174844523%
Restoration SA3143534442%
Baahi Civic Movement31397015113%
Moretele Independent Civic Organization3123314513%
Mpumalanga Party3194014413%
Patriotic South Africans31316214513%
Molemole Independent Voice30346434223%
National Independent Party30154524027%
Answer for Community3020501580%
Independent Community Forum3013114123%
Amalgamated Steve Tshwete.2929581––
Dennilton Residents Association298371––
Hope of Residents2933621––
Impuquko Ezwenilethu2910391––
Qina Mhlali Qina294331––
Sibanye (We Are One)299381––
Social Democratic Movement2918471––
South African Residents Association292311––
Umkhumbi Wesizwe Organisation2847758––
Batho Movement282302––
Service Delivery Front285331––
Ubuntu Abande Political Party2816441––
Ikhwezi Political Movement2620465––
United Development Forum2635612––
Resident Development250255––
Insika Yesizwe Party2514393––
Agenda to Citizenry Governors256311––
Merafong Agents of Change2521461––
One Merafong Organisation2522471––
Matlosana Service Delivery Movement2423472––
Active Citizenry Taung Association242261––
United South Africa2423471––
Vhembe Independent Party (Musikitedzi)2375984––
Democratic New Civic Association235281––
Imstaying2333561––
Izwe Lethu Party2312351––
Kingdom Ambassadors Movement2317401––
Lentswe La Setjhaba232251––
Local Economic Movement2310331––
Metsimaholo Community Association237301––
Metsimaholo Progressive People Forum2333561––
Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front2313361––
Progressive Civic Organisation2320431––
Mopani Residents Association2211334––
Sisonke Solidarity Movement2215372––
Party of Action223251––
Service Movement for Metsimaholo223251––
South African Political Association216275––
Mzansi Citizens’ Movement2129503––
National Economic Fighters215263––
Save Ditsobotla Movement213242––
Breedevallei Onafhanklik219301––
Gazankulu National Party2120411––
Tsogang Madibeng211221––
Arona202222––
Community First Movement201211––
Mangaung Seven People's Voice2026461––
Moqhaka Community Forum202221––
New Force202221––
Siyanqoba Independent Party2016361––
African Democratical Party197262––
African Independent National Democratic Caucus191201––
Bahlali Civic Organization190191––
Combat1911301––
Mo-Africa Party1913321––
Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organization1914331––
No Stress Party197261––
Proudly Metsimaholo192211––
African Revolutionary Council1825436––
Economic Redress Movement1811294––
Merafong Civic Association182201––
Msukaligwa People First185231––
Utlwang Voice of the People1811291––
Community First Party1722393––
Defend SA Movement170171––
Komani Progress Action1722391––
Mount Fletcher Community Voice1729461––
Singukukhanya Kwezwe Christian Party1726431––
Above Massive Constituency1620361––
African United Party1621371––
Alliance for Social Equity162181––
Movement for African Convention165211––
New Democratic Party/ Nuwe Demokratiese Party1622381––
Push for Change161171––
Saldanha Bay Residents Alliance161171––
South African Party1522373––
Forum for South Africa1536512––
Northern Cape Communities Movement1531462––
Transformative Yes Movement1541562––
Ba-Phalaborwa Community Party154191––
Civic Warriors1529441––
Hopeful Leaders Democrats159241––
Independent Candidates Alliance151161––
Independent Lekwa Party1519341––
Lekwa Community Forum1513281––
Mkhonto Ilembe Party154191––
Phakama Adelaide Movement1515301––
Pongola Civic Forum156211––
Reform Alliance of South Africa1514291––
Setsoto Service Delivery Forum1516311––
Abantu Batho Congress1420343––
Better Residents Association1432462––
People’s Power Freedom Party149232––
4TH Generation Movement1425391––
African Covenant142161––
Lephalale New Generation Movement1432461––
Maruleng Communities Movement1419331––
Modimolle - Mookgophong Party1412261––
Modimolle Mookgophong Vaalwater Alma Roadtan Party1428421––
Pongola People's Party147211––
Progressive Community Alliance Movement1410241––
Service to Our People's Party146201––
Sterkspruit Civic Association1418321––
Know Your Neighbour1336492––
Rise Tsantsabane Communities1318312––
Advieskantoor1312251––
African Peoples Progression1322351––
Bopa Sechaba Community Movement133161––
Bridgton Civic Association1312251––
Community Service Alliance1313261––
Makana Citizens Front135181––
Makana United Civic Movement1324371––
National Economic Freedom Alliance133161––
Restore Azania Movement139221––
Saamstaan Suid-Afrika139221––
Socialist Economic Freedom Movement132151––
African Economic Transformers122141––
Bakgethwa Liberation Movement1212241––
Bammu Congress121131––
Build A Better South Africa1213251––
Bushbuckridge Locals Movement122141––
Freedom in South Africa125171––
Langeberg First1222341––
Langerberg Independent Party1213251––
Lekwa Liberation Movement120121––
Migeu Ya Kasi1211231––
Nala Progressive Movement126181––
Success African Movement129211––
Thabazimbi Forum for Service Delivery122141––
Thabazimbi Residents Association123151––
United Resident's Party124161––
Witzenberg Onafhanklike Demokratiese Party122141––
Witzenberg Party1212241––
Masigoduke Peoples Society1140513––
Siyathemba Community Movement1115262––
Alliance of Change110111––
Amandla Matla Party1126371––
Choose CX1113241––
Community First Alliance1132431––
Concern1117281––
Lephalale Residents Party118191––
Witzenberg Aksie1113241––
Abahlali Base Mkhanyakude Movement108181––
Africa's New Dawn108181––
Community Priority Movement1010201––
Concerned Potchefstroom Residents105151––
Hope for the Future1013231––
Knysna First1010201––
Nala Community Forum1010201––
Ndlambe Citizens Movement108181––
Nyoni Progress Party108181––
South African Peoples Party102121––
Thina Bahlali People's Movement102121––
Unity Mzanse100101––
Avright Political Movement99181––
Batho Pele Community Association916251––
Bela Bela Alliansie916251––
Black and White Society924331––
Langeberg Ratepayers Association99181––
Lephalale Community Association915241––
Mafube First95141––
Mantsopa People's Parliament99181––
Nketoane Community Movement96151––
Our Last Hope911201––
Sedibeng Emfuleni Residents Association92111––
South Africa My Home Residents Association918271––
True Reformation Party91101––
Ya Baagi Forum92111––
Civic Independent824323––
African Traditional Congres810181––
African Voice Progressive Party811191––
Amalgamated Rainbow Movement839471––
Bana Ba Mobu87151––
Congress of Masilonyana815231––
Democratic Association of Witzenberg Independence86141––
Dikgatlong Residents Convention83111––
Gamagara Community Forum88161––
Home of Independence813211––
Mahlo People’s Movement811191––
Mthatha Ratepayers and Residents Association89171––
National Democratic Dialogue88161––
Tikwana Youth Power816241––
United Democrats8191––
Dbokke722292––
Socialist Civic Movement710172––
Active United Front720271––
Activists for the Restoration of the Karoo710171––
All African Allied Congress74111––
Great Kei Community Movement710171––
Greater Tsantsabane Community Front75121––
Knysna Independent Movement75121––
Mzansi Christian Party712191––
Siyancuma Independent Forum719261––
Solidarity Action Committee Collective710171––
Bathobohle Political Party61161225––
Buyisa Community Movement65111––
Cederberg First Residents Association68141––
Dienslewerings Party610161––
Hendrina United Community Development627331––
Izwi Labahlali Beward68141––
Kgetleng People's Forum65111––
Lekwateemaneng Development Party611171––
Moretele Peoples Party611171––
Onafhanklik66121––
African Liberation Alliance Movement58131––
Ahgaman5491––
Alliance for A New South Africa55101––
Community Independant Party5381––
Dikgatlong Independed Forum57121––
Kannaland Independent Party510151––
Non Aligned Civic Movement5271––
Oudtshoorn United Front55101––
People's Mandate Party519241––
Pep (Power Economy to the People Party)57121––
Plett Democratic Congress57121––
Azanian Independent Community Movement410142––
Action Save-Bnm4261––
Amalgamated Concerned Residents Association4481––
Joya Web3 Community Movement4481––
Kareeberg Civic Movement46101––
The Farmer Party4151––
Active Business and Civil Society Party3251––
Lephalale People’s Party37101––
Lephalale United Movement312151––
Organisation for Democracy and Freedom38111––
Refengkgotso Civil Party323261––
Restoration Community Forum3691––
The Movement for Social Justice3691––
Thina Bantu Movement310131––
Youth Party3141––
All Unemployment Labour Alliance2573––
Aaron2241––
African Rising Movement2021––
Botlhale Party2461––
Eden United People's Party2351––
Ethical Leaders Movement212141––
Khoi-San Heavenly Party2351––
Knysna Civic Alliance2791––
Lethabong Service Movement216181––
Pro-Poor Political Movement2351––
Region 7 New Generation Party217191––
Stretford Wildebeesfontein Elected Civic Organisation2461––
Azania Resident Party1011––
Bakanana Pele Campaign1121––
Better Zolani1451––
Democratic Labour Party1011––
Gaza National Congress1231––
Hofmeyr Community Development Forum1671––
Maletswai Civic Association1011––
People's Consent Party1121––
Rebuilding Our Own South Africa1011––
South Africa for South Africans1011––
African Forward Congress0221––
Change Party0991––
Free Democrats0551––
Pro South Africa0771––
Sakhisizwe Convention0111––
African-Socio-Economic-Party018180––
Arise Afrika Arise Independent Congress019190––