FF Plus rules out coalitions with MK Party and EFF ahead of 2026 local elections
FF Plus rules out coalitions with MK Party and EFF ahead of 2026 local elections. FF Plus leader Corné Mulder says the party will not enter coalitions with the MK Party or EFF, while unveiling a plan to address municipal decline ahead of South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections.
What happened
Image: Bheke Radebe / ANA StudioThe Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it's on track to hold the 2026 Local Government Elections in the Western Cape. A multi-stakeholder engagement under the theme “Working together for successful and credible 2026 Local Government Elections” took place at the Southern Sun Hotel in Newlands on Tuesday. Hendrickse also confirmed that despite November 4 being declared a public holiday, the Home Affairs Department had confirmed it would be open for those who need to collect their IDs or receive temporary IDs. [email protected]IOLAsk AIRelated Topics:electoral commissionindependent electoral commission2026 local government electionswestern capelge2026Tuesday, September 15, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport
News PoliticsIEC outlines Western Cape readiness for 2026 municipal electionsRobin-Lee Francke|Published 5 hours agoAsk AI 4minProvincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse speaks during the IEC Western Cape multi-stakeholder engagement at the Southern Sun Hotel in Newlands. “We don’t want the IEC to stand alone in preparing for these elections. "The elections will be tightly run as the Western Cape only has 868 proportional (PR) and ward seats across all municipalities," he said. Voters in the Cape Metro will receive two ballots, while those outside the metro will receive three ballots when voting during this election: a ward ballot, a proportional representation ballot for the local council, and a proportional representation ballot used to elect the voter-elected portion of the district council.
The wider picture
Voters should also note that when a home visit is conducted, an IEC official and party agents will be escorted by the police. The IEC is working closely with communities, SAPS, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure voting goes ahead without any disruptions. Thereafter, result slips will be sent to the local IEC office, where the vetting of result slips will be conducted. Western Cape Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said the engagement was more than simply updating stakeholders on the IEC’s preparations.
Election readiness is a collective responsibility, and we all have a role to play in making sure the process is successful,” he said. The engagement brought together a range of organisations from across the province, including Chapter 9 institutions, faith-based structures and civil society organisations, with representation from the youth and disability sectors. “We need to work together with our stakeholders, communities and other partners. The success of an election is not only about what happens on voting day.
What has been reported
It is about all of us working together beforehand to strengthen the process and ensure that people are ready to participate,” Hendrickse said. Election readinessThe IEC said it has 1,623 voting districts, and its voting centres increased from 493 to 544 during this period. A total of 3,456,591 voters are expected to take to the polls in the Western Cape on November 4. Hendrickse said voters would only be allowed to vote in their voting districts. Hendrickse said that while ward ballots will be alphabetical, the PR ballot list and how it is displayed will be revealed during an upcoming briefing by the IEC to be held in Johannesburg later this month.
The engagement brought together a broad range of organisations from across the province. Image: Bheki Radebe / ANA StudiosHow do special votes work? Special votes are for those who would not be able to make it to a voting station on November 4.
What happens next
Registered voters can apply for special votes from September 21, until 5pm on October 12. Voters can apply online, get an application form from an IEC office, or send an SMS. People with special votes will be able to cast their votes at their registered voting stations on November 2 and 3. Voters are reminded to have their green barcoded ID, Smart ID, or temporary ID at hand. Home visitsPeople who cannot get to voting stations due to their confinement to their residence because of physical infirmity or disability may also apply for special votes.
Home visits will take place between 8am and 5pm on November 2 and November 3. The IEC said there will be no appointments or time arrangements for these visits.