How to contest national and provincial elections

Parties intending to contest these elections are required to submit lists of candidates in accordance with the requirements of section 27 of the Electoral Act, Act 73 of 1998 (the Act), and the requirements set out in Schedule 1A of the Act.

Independent Candidates intending to contest these elections should be nominated in accordance with the requirements of section 31A and 31B of the Electoral Act, Act 73 of 1998.

The following must be submitted to contest the upcoming National and Provincial Elections for Party Nominations:

• The list/s of candidates must be submitted in the case of the national list for the National Assembly in a form similar to Appendix 1 – Nomination of Candidates for the National Assembly (National List);
• in the case of the regional list for the National Assembly in a form similar to Appendix 2 – Nomination of Candidates for the National Assembly (Regional List);
• in the case of the provincial list for a Provincial Legislature in a form similar to Appendix 3 – Nomination of Candidates for the Provincial Legislature (Provincial List);
• Acceptance of nomination and undertaking, signed by each candidate in a form similar to Appendix 4 – Acceptance of Nomination by Candidate on a Party List; and
• An Election deposit.

Unrepresented will also be required to capture the following Supporter Requirements:

• In the case of unrepresented parties contesting the National Assembly or Provincial Legislature supporter signatures must equal 15% of the previous regional or provincial quota to obtain a seat. These supporters must be captured on the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS), before cut-off date for submission of candidates (as per the Election timetable). Pre-approval is needed to be granted access to the OCNS.
• Request the OPA application form from [email protected] And Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
• Return a completed OPA form to [email protected] And Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
• Get a desktop computer or laptop with internet access – If you don't have one, don't worry! You can use someone else's desktop computer or laptop with internet access but make sure to enter your own login details.
• Visit the MyIEC portal, at https://online.elections.org.za/MyIEC
• Signatures should be obtained for National assembly in a form similar to Appendix 10 – List of Signatories National Assembly (Regional);
• Signatures should be obtained for Provincial Legislature in a form similar to Appendix 11 – List of Signatories Provincial Legislature.

The following must be submitted to contest the upcoming National and Provincial Elections for Independent Candidates:

• in the case of the regional list for the National Assembly in a form similar to Appendix 8 – Independent Candidate Nomination and Acceptance (Regional);
• in the case of the provincial list for a Provincial Legislature in a form similar to Appendix 9 – Independent Candidate Nomination and Acceptance (Provincial); and
• An A5 head and shoulders full colour photograph
• An Election deposit.

Independent Candidates will also be required to capture the following Supporter Requirements:

• In the case of contesting the National Assembly or Provincial Legislature supporter signatures must equal 1000. These supporters must be captured on the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS), before cut-off date for submission of candidates (as per the Election timetable). Link to OCNS https://online.elections.org.za/MyIEC
• Signatures should be obtained for National assembly in a form similar to Appendix 10 – List of Signatories National Assembly (Regional);
• Signatures should be obtained for Provincial Legislature in a form similar to Appendix 11 – List of Signatories Provincial Legislature.

For the full guide to the submission of candidates for national and provincial elections list, click here.