South Africans have been urged to consider merit and performance when choosing political parties ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Eastern Cape has brought together governance experts, civil society and the media in Gqeberha to examine how coalition politics and the growing number of political parties are shaping the country’s democracy.

The seminar forms part of the IEC’s preparations ahead of the elections.

William Gumede from the Wits School of Governance says party supporters should use discretion when trusting political parties.

“Sadly, many of our voters vote for parties and leaders as if they are voting for soccer clubs. People think they have to support political parties through thick and thin, but political parties don’t work like that. In a democracy, you do not vote for a party as if you are a fan. If you support a party and they don’t deliver, you stop voting for them,” says Gumede.

IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo, says preparations for the upcoming local elections are already underway.

“The minister of CoGTA has done what is necessary on his part. So, what has to happen has happened on the political front. The municipal demarcation board is in the process of finalizing ward boundaries. As soon as they hand over ward boundaries to the IEC, the election process starts in earnest,” says Mamabolo.