ELECTIONS WITHOUT COMPROMISE: A CONVERSATION WITH IEC CHAIRPERSON MOSOTHO MOEPYA

As South Africa approaches the 2026 Local Government Elections, all eyes are once again on the Electoral Commission (IEC) and its ability to deliver a credible poll. The IEC has a long track record of overseeing free and fair elections, but each new cycle brings fresh challenges. Local government elections, in particular, are among the most complicated exercises in South Africa’s democratic calendar.

At stake is more than just procedure. These elections determine who leads at metropolitan, district, and local municipality levels - the spheres of government that most directly shape service delivery in communities. From water to waste removal, roads to housing, the councillors elected in 2026 will carry the responsibility of turning democratic mandates into everyday realities for millions of South Africans.

Against this backdrop, Municipal Focus spoke to IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya. In this wide-ranging interview, Moepya was candid about the Commission’s preparations, the complexities of local elections, the risks posed by disinformation and voter apathy, and the steps being taken to protect the integrity of the vote.

What is the IEC currently busy with as it prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections?

MM: Our work never stops between election cycles. Right now, we are running by-elections almost every week. Each byelection is highly contested and feels like a small general election in itself, with all the requirements of candidate nominations, civic and voter education, and the management of polling day. These are not minor exercises; they keep the machinery of democracy active in the years between national polls.

At the same time, we are already laying the groundwork for the 2026 elections. A major task is aligning our systems with the new ward boundaries being finalised by the Municipal Demarcation Board. Some of these determinations are scheduled to be concluded by October, while the remainder will be finalised by December or January.

The new boundaries will only become applicable on election day, but we must already prepare registrations in line with them. That means maintaining two data sets: the old one, which applies to current by-elections, and the new one, which will apply to the general elections.

It is a technical and logistical challenge, but it is essential to ensure that no voter is disadvantaged by boundary changes. We also continually review our network of voting stations. New settlements must be included, depopulated areas removed, and infrastructure assessed to ensure accessibility. This is painstaking work, but it ensures that every community, whether old or newly formed, has access to a voting station on election day.

“Our preparations for 2026 are well underway. From updating ward boundaries to ensuring every community has access to a voting station, we are building readiness step by step to guarantee a credible poll.”

Why are local government elections more complex compared to national or provincial elections?

MM: They are much more complex, and it is important for the public to appreciate why. In a national election, a voter receives three ballots: one for the National Assembly, one for the provincial legislature, and one for national proportional representation. There are under 900 seats in total across the country to be filled.

In local government elections, by contrast, there are more than 4 800 unique elections happening simultaneously. Every ward is its own election, with unique candidates, and there are about 4 480 wards in South Africa. In addition to ward ballots, there are proportional representation ballots for municipalities and districts.

Take Polokwane as an example. A voter there will cast a ballot for the ward, a ballot for proportional representation at municipal level, and another for the district council. In metropolitan municipalities, there are fewer ballots but still multiple processes. After the election, councillors are also indirectly elected from local councils into district councils. The system is layered and highly detailed.

This level of complexity means that even small mistakes can have significant consequences. Ballots are ward-specific - they cannot simply be moved from one place to another if supplies run short. Candidate names and symbols must be correctly reflected. And because nominations are handled at municipal level, there are thousands of processes taking place concurrently, each of which must be accurate and legally sound.

It also places enormous pressure on logistics. If a ward has 3 000 registered voters, every one of them must be catered for. Contingency ballots must also be printed to cover spoilage. Multiply that across thousands of wards, and the scale of the task becomes clear.

How does the IEC prepare for external risks such as load shedding or power failures on election day?

MM: Electricity supply is critical to the credibility of elections, especially when it comes to capturing and transmitting results. We therefore work closely with Eskom, municipalities, and the

Department of CoGTA in the run-up to an election. The Minister of CoGTA proclaims the election date, but this is done in consultation with us, taking into account grid demand and Eskom’s contingency planning.

Typically, elections in South Africa are held on a Wednesday, but not all Wednesdays are equal. We look at whether conditions are more favourable in November, December, or January, and provide input accordingly. Eskom, for its part, shares its contingency plans with us, and we align our needs to their capacity.

On the day itself, we make provision for backup power, particularly in counting and results centres. We rely on generators and additional capacity to ensure continuity. Short power cuts can be managed; extended outages of two days or more would create major problems. That is why our discussions with Eskom are so critical.

What steps are being taken to ensure that rural and remote areas have fair access to voting stations?

MM: Our guiding principle is that every citizen must have the same dignity in exercising their vote. Whether you live in a well-serviced suburb or a remote village, the ballot must be accessible to you.

Of course, realities differ. In some areas we can use established facilities like schools, community halls, or churches. In others, we must rely on tents or temporary structures. We work with Public Works to address accessibility challenges, for instance by ensuring roads or bridges are in place where needed. In the past, we even asked Eskom to electrify schools used as voting stations, though vandalism has limited our ability to sustain such interventions.

Where possible, we leave infrastructure behind that can benefit communities between elections - for example, water or road improvements near voting stations. But ultimately, we make use of facilities that communities themselves use daily, to ensure familiarity and accessibility.

“Readiness is not something we announce at the last minute; it is a process we live daily. By running weekly byelections and stress-testing our systems, we remain election-ready at all times.”

How many voters are currently registered, and how does the IEC encourage higher participation, especially among youth?

MM: At any given moment we can say how many people are on the voters’ roll.

But that number is dynamic, because we run registration weekends, targeted campaigns, and ongoing opportunities for new voters to register. Our target is calculated by comparing the population register - South African citizens aged 18 and above - with the voters’ roll. The gap between them is what we focus on.

The greater challenge lies not in registration but in participation. Many South Africans are disillusioned, feeling that political parties and candidates have not delivered on their promises. When people lose faith in their representatives, they sometimes choose not to register or to stay away from the polls. In South Africa, both registration and voting are voluntary, unlike in countries such as Australia or Italy where they are compulsory.

We can provide opportunities and appeal to citizens, but political parties also carry responsibility. They must put forward credible candidates who give people a reason to vote. Without that, even the best efforts from the IEC cannot overcome voter apathy.

It is also worth noting that younger voters present both a challenge and an opportunity. They are less likely to participate in traditional politics but more likely to be reached through digital campaigns, peer networks, and education initiatives. We continue to innovate in how we reach this group, but the onus remains on parties to inspire them with credible choices.

How does the IEC manage issues of duplication or inaccurate voter information?

MM: There is often a misconception that duplicates exist on the voters’ roll. In fact, our system, which is linked to the national population register, prevents duplication. Even if a person changes their ID number, the system links old and new numbers.

Errors can occur if Home Affairs fails to link records, but these cases are rare. The bigger issue lies with addresses, which can sometimes be incomplete or disputed. Legislation allows us to collect correct addresses on election day if necessary. Importantly, deceased persons are automatically removed from the roll once death is registered.

This is why regular auditing of the roll is critical. Accuracy builds trust, and we remain vigilant in ensuring that the voters’ roll remains a credible foundation for democracy.

What technology will be used in the elections, and how is cybersecurity being managed?

MM: For these elections, there will be no electronic voting. The system remains manual: voters cast paper ballots, which are counted at voting stations. Results are then taken to municipal offices, captured, encrypted, and transmitted digitally.

We are consulting South Africans about electronic voting for the future, but even if consensus is reached, it will not apply to 2026.

Cybersecurity is a constant concern. We carry vast amounts of personal data, and in the wrong hands this could be dangerous. We therefore do not publicise details of our security measures, but we can say that this is an area we take extremely seriously. Banks and other institutions have been compromised before, and we work constantly to avoid such outcomes.

We also run simulations and stress tests of our systems in the months leading up to elections. These “dry runs” replicate real conditions, involving both staff and systems, to ensure that any weaknesses are identified and addressed before election day.

How is the IEC addressing misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media?

MM: Misinformation is one of the great challenges of modern elections. We continue to use the Real411 platform, which has already been deployed in at least three national election cycles. It allows us to identify, monitor, and respond to false information circulating online.

Beyond that, we convene political liaison committees at municipal, provincial, and national level. These platforms enable us to address potential tensions and misinformation early. By creating structured spaces for dialogue, we reduce the likelihood that disputes escalate into conflict.

We also encourage citizens themselves to be vigilant. The fight against disinformation is not just the responsibility of the Commission; it requires a collective effort by political parties, civil society, media, and ordinary voters to challenge falsehoods and uphold truth.

How do you ensure parties and candidates comply with the electoral code of conduct?

MM: The code of conduct is enshrined in law, and all participants are bound by it once they contest an election. Signing ceremonies are important symbols, but even if a candidate refuses to sign publicly, they are still bound by the code.

We promote compliance through visibility and awareness, but also through enforcement. Violations can be reported to the IEC, investigated, and taken to court. The courts then impose sanctions where appropriate.

We also employ respected community members as conflict resolution panelists. They help manage disputes where multiple parties campaign in the same area.This proactive approach reduces tensions before they disrupt the process.

What safeguards are in place to ensure the credibility of elections overall?

MM: One important safeguard is observer accreditation. We accredit as many domestic and international observers as possible. The requirement is that they must be legitimate institutions, not politically affiliated individuals, and they must act impartially. There is no limit on numbers - all qualifying institutions are welcome.

Observers are not just symbolic. Their reports and monitoring play a crucial role in reinforcing the credibility of elections, both at home and abroad. They help ensure that the process is seen to be free and fair, not only in fact but also in perception.

We also provide multiple avenues for citizens to report irregularities, from toll-free numbers to social media channels. Our contact centres are trained to handle complaints quickly and appropriately. Combined with legal enforcement mechanisms, these processes protect the integrity of elections.

When will the results be announced, and how can disputes be managed?

MM: The law requires us to declare results within seven days. Historically, we have done so within three or four. That track record is important, because it demonstrates efficiency and transparency.

Disputes are accommodated at every stage of the electoral process: from the selection of voting stations to voter registration, from candidate nominations to the results themselves. Objections are considered carefully by the Commission, and if unresolved, parties can approach the electoral court. This layered process ensures fairness and accountability.

What lessons have been learned from past elections, and how are they being applied to the upcoming cycle?

MM: No two elections are the same. The 2026 elections will not be identical to those of 2024 or 2021. Each cycle brings unique challenges and lessons. From the 2024 General Elections, we learned that some of our systems performed well, while others did not. The VMD, for example, was effective, but our voter roll application had problems. We are working to improve such systems, as well as training, voter verification, and candidate submissions. We have also learned to be vigilant about threats to staff safety. Elections are contests by their nature, and tensions run high. Our staff sometimes face intimidation or even violence. We work closely with law enforcement to protect them and to maintain the integrity of the process.

Looking ahead, what milestones can South Africans expect before November 2026?

MM: Between now and election day, there are several milestones that will shape the road ahead. We will continue to run by-elections almost weekly, which keep our systems tested and our staff election-ready. We will also roll out targeted voter registration drives to narrow the gap between eligible citizens and those already on the voters’ roll.

As the election proclamation draws nearer, candidate nominations will open and parties will begin campaigning in earnest. During this period, our political liaison committees will remain fully engaged, monitoring compliance with the code of conduct and resolving disputes before they escalate. Election day itself will then be the culmination of this work, followed by the declaration of results within the legally required timeframe.

Finally, what message would you give to South Africans as the country heads towards these elections?

My message is simple: democracy only works when citizens participate. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the elections are accessible, fair, and credible. But at the end of the day, the responsibility to register, to turn out, and to make your voice heard lies with every South African.

Elections must give every citizen a sense that we all count equally, whether we live in a rural village or a city centre. That dignity - the ability to stand in line, cast a ballot, and know it matters - is the foundation of our democracy. I encourage all South Africans, especially young people, to seize that opportunity in 2026.