The
Electoral Commission has today, 27 March 2026, published a Government Gazette notice inviting political parties, independent
candidates and all interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed deposit
amount for the 2026/27 local government elections.
By law,
registered political parties and independent candidates intending to contest
elections must pay deposits. The purpose of the deposit is to confirm a
contestant’s intention to participate in the election and to create certainty
on who the contestants in an election are.
Deposits
are refundable to contestants who obtain a seat in the applicable Proportional
Representation election, or who obtain at least 10% of the valid votes cast in
the applicable ward election. If a contestant loses, the deposit is not
refundable and is paid into the National Revenue Fund.
The proposed
deposits are as follows:
- The amount of the deposit to be paid in terms
of Section 14(1)(b) of the Act is, in respect of each separate list
submitted by a party-
- Four Thousand Seven Hundred Rand (R4700.00) in
an election in a metropolitan municipality.
- Two Thousand Eight Hundred Rand (R2800.00) in
an election in a local municipality with wards.
- One Thousand Eight Hundred Rand (R1800.00) in
an election in a local municipality without wards and in an election in a
district municipality.
The
Electoral Commission intends increasing the deposit as prescribed in Item 11(1)
of the Municipal Electoral Regulations as follows:
“(1)
The amount of the deposit referred to in section 17(2)(d) of the Act, is R1
800.00 (one thousand eight hundred rand) in respect of an independent ward
candidate and for a ward candidate nominated by a party who is not contesting
the election of the relevant municipal council by way of a party list.”
Representations
or comment on the proposed election deposits may be emailed to Mr Kgosietsile
Tshoke on [email protected] or delivered in writing to
Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157.
The
closing date for the submission of comments is Friday, 8 May 2026.
The Electoral Commission emphasises that it had not
yet decided on the election deposit amounts for the 2026/27 Local Government
Elections. The Commission will review feedback and comments before making a
final decision.
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible
elections
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on
082 600 6386
For media interviews: Email requests to [email protected]
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