OPINION: Protecting the institution that safeguards our democracy

by Michael Currin One of the endearing symbols of our democracy is the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which has overseen several elections since 1994.

The work of the IEC in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is central to our democracy and therefore it comes as no surprise that this work faces intense public and political scrutiny, along with robust debate.

Across South Africa, democratic institutions are operating in an environment shaped by political contestation, misinformation and disinformation, and a rapidly changing information landscape.

For the IEC, these pressures carry particular weight because confidence in the electoral process is inseparable from confidence in the institution entrusted with administering it.

Public accountability is an essential feature of a healthy democracy and the work of the IEC leading up to the Local Government Elections on 04 November 2026 and thereafter will be severely scrutinised.

In a democracy, institutions must expect to be questioned, challenged and held to account, and this has indeed been the case with all our elections since 1994.

The IEC has always welcomed scrutiny of its work, and the Electoral Act allows for accredited neutral observers to monitor the elections.

Applications for organisations seeking accreditation as election observers for South Africa’s upcoming local government elections are open through the IEC Observer Accreditation Portal https://online.elections.org.za/orsonline/Welcome The IEC at the close of the statutory period for the submission of candidate nominations for the 2026 Local Government Elections at 17h00 on Friday, 28 August 2026, announced that a total of 142 072 candidates had been nominated to contest 10 526 councils’ seats across municipalities.

At first glance this might seem like a daunting figure however, South Africa has a proud history of respect for the Constitution and holding of free and fair Elections since 1994.

The IEC as an independent body established to promote and safeguard our democracy has a good reputation and a positive track record of conducting elections.

During the Local Government Elections on 04 November 2026 thousands of vetted and trained officials such as presiding officers, counting officers, volunteers and monitors will be deployed at voting stations on election day.

Furthermore, the Electoral Act allows for political parties contesting the elections to have representatives at voting stations to ensure compliance with voting procedures and to monitor the counting process.

The IEC has a constitutional and legislative mandate to administer elections in a manner that protects the integrity of the electoral process and enables citizens to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives.