The Standing Committee on Appropriations (SCOPA) says it is satisfied that the IEC is ready to deliver the 2026 Local Government Elections within its allocated budget, with chairperson Dr Mmusi Maimane warning of cybersecurity threats, disinformation and broader election security risks ahead of the polls.
The committee met with the IEC and the Department of Home Affairs to assess preparations for the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
The IEC told the committee it has been allocated R3.2 billion for the current financial year to support election preparations, including voter registration, candidate nominations and the printing of ballot papers.
It said efforts are also under way to strengthen voter registration and address the under-representation of certain demographic groups on the voters’ roll.
Committee members welcomed the commission’s readiness but raised concerns that the elections would take place during the matric examination period, particularly because schools are used as voting stations in some communities.
The IEC said consultations with the Department of Basic Education showed there would be minimal disruption to matric pupils because election day would be declared a public holiday.
Chairperson of the SCOPA Maimane urged the IEC to increase outreach efforts aimed at young voters, saying turnout among young people remains low.
Maimane also cautioned against the spread of misinformation and cyber threats ahead of the polls.
He added that election security extends beyond online threats, saying: “The scale of the elections across 240 municipalities and their wards requires strong measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks.”
Maimane said broader election security also remains a concern, noting that during a previous engagement the South African Police Service reported a shortfall of about 6,000 personnel, while physical security incidents had occurred during past elections.
During the Department of Home Affairs briefing, committee members welcomed ongoing efforts to tackle corruption, particularly the issuing of fraudulent identity documents.
The committee said corruption within Home Affairs contributes to wider migration-management challenges.
Members also raised concerns about persistent illegal migration, including cases where deported individuals return to South Africa and where some asylum seekers remain in the country after their applications have been rejected.
The committee stressed that Home Affairs remains central to the state’s response to illegal migration and said improved technology is critical to strengthening service delivery and enforcement.
Committee members questioned the department about the use of drones and other technologies and asked what measurable benefits had been achieved so far.
Maimane said Home Affairs is often associated with “long queues and system downtime” and welcomed budget allocations aimed at addressing persistent offline system failures.
He added that while deportations and border management remain important, government must also focus on lawful pathways for people seeking to regularise their status in South Africa.
Furthermore, Maimane cautioned that “perceptions that South Africans do not welcome other Africans is wrong”.
He also warned that where compliance systems become too difficult, individuals may attempt to bypass processes through bribery.