IEC warns of declining trust as parties sign local election conduct code

Political party leaders sign the Electoral Code of Conduct ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections.

Political parties contesting the November 4 Local Government Elections have pledged to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct and campaign peacefully, as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) warned of declining public trust in democracy.

Party leaders, including ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba, DA federal chair Solly Msimanga and MK Party president Jacob Zuma, signed the code at a ceremony in Midrand on Wednesday.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said the signing came against a backdrop of growing public scepticism, pointing to the commission's 2025/2026 Voter Participation Survey conducted with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

He said only 17% of adults surveyed were satisfied with the country's democratic trajectory, while 68% were dissatisfied.

“This is not a narrative of casual disengagement; it is a story of profound structural disillusionment,” Moepya said.

He said public confidence in political parties, municipal councils and the IEC had declined amid economic hardship and service delivery problems.

Moepya also said the survey challenged the idea that young people were simply apathetic about voting.

According to the figures he cited, 69% of youth respondents believed their vote would not make a tangible difference, while 78% felt political parties became indistinguishable once elected.

“When half of our eligible citizens remain unregistered to vote ahead of these municipal polls, it is an urgent distress signal about our collective political efficacy and the health of our democratic contract,” he said.

Political parties have signed the Electoral Code of Conduct ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections, while the IEC warns that declining trust and voter disengagement threaten participation.

Moepya said the Electoral Code of Conduct was intended to ensure that all 136,790 candidates had an equal opportunity to campaign and communicate their messages without fear or unfair distortion.

He said parties and candidates were committing themselves to rejecting political violence, intimidation, sabotage and threats against opponents, voters, the IEC and the media.

Mbalula said the ANC would campaign vigorously while respecting the law.