Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
06/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/13/2026 14:49
Media Statement: Committees Receive IEC Briefing on Local Government Election Preparations
Parliament, Saturday, 13 June 2026 - A joint meeting of three parliamentary oversight committees on Friday received a briefing from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the state of readiness for the 2026 Local Government Elections and the voter registration weekend scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Select Committee on Security and Justice met with the IEC to assess progress on voter registration and the IEC's operational readiness.
The committees emphasised the need for clear communication to educate the public about the electoral system. The committees also emphasised that educational communication must be in all indigenous languages, including sign language, to educate, inform and raise awareness about the electoral system.
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, welcomed the engagement, emphasising the importance of the briefing ahead of the registration weekend during Youth Month. "It is important that we target the youth to register, she said. The Chairperson also stressed the importance of including the youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and rural areas.
The committees noted the IEC's assessment that planning for the local government elections on 4 November is taking place in one of the most challenging pre-election climates in the past three decades. The environment is one marked by public pessimism, frustration, declining trust in institutions and a growing disengagement from formal democratic processes, Members heard.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, welcomed the presentation and said Parliament should continue to receive regular updates on public attitudes towards elections and trust in institutions. "It is something that we, as parliamentarians, must constantly work on and find ways of improving, to increase the level of trust and confidence of the public," Dr Mkhize said.
Members, however, raised questions about the online voter registration process, including reported delays and challenges with the one-time pins (OTPs). The committee noted that the Commission must consider the practical reality that some citizens who require online registration services may not have functional cell phones and, therefore, may be unable to receive the OTPs needed to complete registration. Dr Mkhize said this matter must be treated as a community concern and asked the IEC to apply its mind and return for further engagement.
Members also engaged with the IEC on voter management devices and on previous system challenges, especially where connectivity was limited. Dr Mkhize said the IEC should continue addressing technical and logistical issues that may create uncertainty. "The confidence that we must all have in the system requires that it is beyond question," he said.
The handling and security of election materials also formed part of the engagement. Members asked the IEC to provide further information on how election materials are transported, stored, accounted for and secured. The committees noted the IEC's explanation that some security arrangements must be handled carefully to avoid creating additional risk.
The committees also asked the IEC to regularly update Parliament on matters before the courts that may affect public perception and trust. Members also asked to be updated regularly on the situation in areas where there are boundary disputes following the ward delimitation process, as this may affect voter registration and participation. The committees resolved that further engagement with the IEC will be necessary as preparations continue.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, welcomed the information shared. He said the committees will consider an oversight visit during a future registration weekend, where and when possible, to assess implementation on the ground.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE, MS JANE MANANISO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee's media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: [email protected]
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Select Committee on Security and Justice met with the IEC to assess progress on voter registration and the IEC's operational readiness.
The committees emphasised the need for clear communication to educate the public about the electoral system. The committees also emphasised that educational communication must be in all indigenous languages, including sign language, to educate, inform and raise awareness about the electoral system.
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, Ms Jane Mananiso, welcomed the engagement, emphasising the importance of the briefing ahead of the registration weekend during Youth Month. "It is important that we target the youth to register, she said. The Chairperson also stressed the importance of including the youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and rural areas.
The committees noted the IEC's assessment that planning for the local government elections on 4 November is taking place in one of the most challenging pre-election climates in the past three decades. The environment is one marked by public pessimism, frustration, declining trust in institutions and a growing disengagement from formal democratic processes, Members heard.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, welcomed the presentation and said Parliament should continue to receive regular updates on public attitudes towards elections and trust in institutions. "It is something that we, as parliamentarians, must constantly work on and find ways of improving, to increase the level of trust and confidence of the public," Dr Mkhize said.
Members, however, raised questions about the online voter registration process, including reported delays and challenges with the one-time pins (OTPs). The committee noted that the Commission must consider the practical reality that some citizens who require online registration services may not have functional cell phones and, therefore, may be unable to receive the OTPs needed to complete registration. Dr Mkhize said this matter must be treated as a community concern and asked the IEC to apply its mind and return for further engagement.
Members also engaged with the IEC on voter management devices and on previous system challenges, especially where connectivity was limited. Dr Mkhize said the IEC should continue addressing technical and logistical issues that may create uncertainty. "The confidence that we must all have in the system requires that it is beyond question," he said.
The handling and security of election materials also formed part of the engagement. Members asked the IEC to provide further information on how election materials are transported, stored, accounted for and secured. The committees noted the IEC's explanation that some security arrangements must be handled carefully to avoid creating additional risk.
The committees also asked the IEC to regularly update Parliament on matters before the courts that may affect public perception and trust. Members also asked to be updated regularly on the situation in areas where there are boundary disputes following the ward delimitation process, as this may affect voter registration and participation. The committees resolved that further engagement with the IEC will be necessary as preparations continue.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, welcomed the information shared. He said the committees will consider an oversight visit during a future registration weekend, where and when possible, to assess implementation on the ground.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS, DR ZWELI MKHIZE AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SECURITY AND JUSTICE, MS JANE MANANISO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee's media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: [email protected]
Parliament of South Africa published this content on June 13, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 13, 2026 at 20:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]