How to register a party

The law provides for four options and levels for registering a political party. The following options are available:

1. A National level registration – this would allow a registered political party to contest any election in the country. This would include elections for the national assembly, provincial legislatures, district, metropolitan and local councils anywhere in the Republic.
2. A Provincial level registration – this would allow a registered political party to contest any election within a particular province. This would include elections for the provincial legislature, district, metropolitan and local councils in that particular province.
3. A District level registration – this would allow a registered political party to contest any elections within a particular district municipality and all local municipalities in the district.
4. A Metropolitan level registration - this would allow a registered political party to contest any election in particular metropolitan municipality.

NB: Registration does not mean that a party will automatically qualify to contest an election. A registered political party must still meet the requirements for contesting an election, i.e. both the proportional representative (party list) and ward elections.

To find out how to contest a municipal election as a political party or an individual candidate, please see How to Contest Municipal Elections.

The name, abbreviation and logo as chosen and registered will appear on the ballot paper for the election the party elects to contest.

National level registration

To register at National level, you must submit:

• An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
• The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
• The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
• A High resolution party logo or symbol in colour, this can be submitted separately as a .PNG or .JPG file;
• A copy of the party's constitution;
• A Deed of Foundation signed by 1 000 registered voters who support the founding of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
• R5 000 registration fee; and
• A hard copy of the Government Gazette in which your notice appears (see Annexure 2 of the Regulations).

Provincial level registration

To register at Provincial level, you must submit:

• An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
• The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
• The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
• A High resolution party logo or symbol in colour, this can be submitted separately as a .PNG or .JPG file;
• A copy of the party's constitution;
• A Deed of Foundation signed by 500 registered voters who support the founding of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
• R3 000 registration fee; and
• A hard copy of the Government Gazette in which your notice appears (see Annexure 2 of the Regulations).

Metropolitan or District level registration

To register at Metropolitan or District level, you must submit:

• An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
• The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
• The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
• A High resolution party logo or symbol in colour, this can be submitted separately as a .PNG or .JPG file;
• A copy of the party's constitution;
• A Deed of Foundation signed by 300 registered voters who support the founding of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
• R2 000 registration fee; and
• A party applying for registration at Metropolitan or District level must place a Notice in a local newspaper (Annexure 2 of the Regulations) and must submit proof of such publication (hard copy of the newspaper page).