ANC Misses IEC Candidate Registration Deadline Again, No Extension Granted
- The ANC failed to meet the IEC's official candidate registration deadline for the second time in recent electoral history
- The IEC confirmed its online nomination system remained fully operational throughout the registration period, with no technical failures
- ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party is working with the commission to resolve outstanding registration matters
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
SOUTH AFRICA — The African National Congress (ANC) has again failed to meet the Independent Electoral Commission's candidate registration deadline, raising fresh concerns about the governing party's internal administrative processes ahead of the upcoming elections.
The IEC confirmed on 31 August 2026 that no extension had been granted to the ANC beyond the cutoff date of the previous Friday. The commission stated that its online candidate nomination platform remained fully operational and uninterrupted throughout the entire nomination period, giving all political parties and independent candidates adequate time to complete their submissions.
ANC blames digital portal for missed deadline
In an official statement released on Monday, the ANC attributed the incomplete submissions to technical difficulties encountered while using the IEC's digital system. Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu expressed confidence in the electoral body and confirmed that the ANC is actively engaging with the commission to address the outstanding entries. The IEC, however, did not corroborate the party's account of technical problems, maintaining that the platform delivered sufficient and uninterrupted service up to the closing date.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
2021 déjà vu for the governing party
The current registration failure echoes a near-identical situation from the 2021 local government elections, when the ANC failed to register candidates across 93 municipalities before the initial August deadline. On that occasion, the commission ultimately reopened the candidate registration process to all participating political parties ahead of the municipal polls, allowing the ANC to complete its submissions. Whether the IEC will consider a similar intervention this time remains to be seen, as the commission has so far held firm on the deadline without indicating any plans to reopen the process.
ANC pleads with voters for another chance
In a related article, Briefly News reported on ANC member Thandi Moraka's appeal for South Africans to grant the party another chance in the upcoming elections, based on its historical achievements. However, the reaction from the public has been overwhelmingly critical, with many questioning how many opportunities the ANC deserves despite its call for renewed support.
Source: Briefly News
