ANC says branches are selecting mayoral candidates as election preparations continue

The ANC says its branches are already selecting mayoral and ward candidates as the party moves through a staged timetable of election preparations ahead of the local government vote on 4 November 2026.

Party officials outline progress

Speaking at a media briefing, ANC Chief Whip in Parliament and head of elections Mdumiseni Ntuli said branch general meetings are taking place around the country and that the selection process “is so far going relatively well”. Ntuli addressed the briefing alongside ANC NEC member Donald Selamolela.

Ntuli said national ANC officials are “seized with the issues relating to the mayoral candidates” and noted the current process is more detailed than past rounds because it covers a larger number of municipalities.

Secretary-General to provide public update

Ntuli said the ANC’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, will provide a public update on the selection process at the appropriate time. When contacted for comment, ANC spokesperson Mothusi Shupinyane Ka Ndaba echoed that position:

“At the right time, the Secretary-General will update the media and the public on progress being registered.”

Timelines and rollout

ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said the party’s election preparations began on 1 April in line with internal timelines. He said branch general meetings to select ward and proportional representation candidates run from 1 April to 20 June, and that the ANC will release its ward and PR candidates on 20 June.

Voter registration push

With the Electoral Commission of South Africa designating 20 and 21 June as the first open weekend for voter registration, Ntuli said the ANC Caucus will deploy its public representatives to engage South Africans, particularly young people, to register to vote.

Ntuli urged unregistered South Africans to register online on the IEC website and noted that parliamentary constituency offices are open daily to assist voters who need help registering.

Campaigning and organisational focus

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said over the weekend that the party has observed stability in its structures and stressed the party had not yet officially begun campaigning. He said the ANC is focusing on strengthening organisational foundations and preparing for key political programmes.

Mbalula was quoted saying the party is concentrating on selecting public representatives and preparing for manifesto launches, adding that the work on the ground has been carried out as part of laying the foundation for the campaign.

Key dates

• 1 April – ANC says election preparations began.
• 1 April to 20 June – Branch general meetings to select candidates, according to the ANC.
• 20 June – ANC to release ward and PR candidates, per the party.
• 20–21 June – IEC first open weekend for voter registration.
• 4 November 2026 – Local government elections.