The Electoral Commission is hosting a series of orientation workshops across all nine provinces to assist registered political parties and prospective independent candidates in using the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS) ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections in November.
Commencing on Tuesday, 7 July, in Limpopo, the Electoral Commission's nationwide orientation workshops will equip registered political parties and prospective independent candidates with the practical knowledge to use the OCNS.
“Participants will learn how to capture candidate and supporter information, pay election deposits electronically, and receive early feedback on the voter registration status of candidates and supporters before the official nomination period opens,” the Electoral Commission said in a statement.
The Commission has invited members of the media to attend the Gauteng session, where the Commission will demonstrate the functionality of the OCNS and provide guidance on the candidate nomination process to avoid last-minute challenges.
The OCNS, which became operational on 21 June 2026, enables registered political parties and prospective independent candidates to prepare in advance for the nomination process.
The system is an official platform managed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) that enables political parties and independent candidates to capture and manage candidate lists, upload supporting documentation, and process payments for elections.
The system also provides reporting tools to monitor the progress of nominations, ensuring transparency and efficiency throughout the nomination process. – SAnews.gov.za
