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IEC rushes to print 27 million ballots before 4 November vote

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is working around the clock to finish printing the ballots by Friday 30 October. A Constitutional Court judgment on candidate lists means 32 parties that were excluded must now be added.

IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the judgment on candidate lists has made the logistics for the municipal elections harder. The elections take place on 4 November.

Mamabolo said the coming week is a very big week. He said it could decide whether 24 months of IEC planning succeeds or fails.

Key facts

Who
Sy Mamabolo (CEO of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)); Electoral Commission of South Africa (electoral body running the November 4 municipal elections)
What
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo conceded that a recent Constitutional Court judgment on candidate lists has complicated logistical preparations for the 4 November municipal elections, and said the IEC is scrambling to print about 27 million ballots by the end of Friday 30 October.
When
25 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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